Armenia commits to implement a law on equal rights and opportunities and sign the Istanbul Convention (updated)

The steps undertaken by the Republic of Armenia to ensure equal participation of women in political and public life include changes made in the Electoral Code in 2011 incorporating gender-sensitive quotas, and the adoption of a “Law on equal rights and equal opportunities for women and men” in 2013, which ensures equality between women and men in all areas and provides legal protection against discrimination. Armenia commits to ensure the effective implementation of its Law on equal rights and equal opportunities and to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (also known as the Istanbul Convention). [ Commitment statement ]

Developments since Armenia’s commitment

Armenia continues to implement the commitments made at the Global Leaders’ Meeting. In addition to the Law “On Ensuring Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities for Women and Men”, approved on 20 May 2013, Armenia has adopted a new Constitution in December 2015, and the new Electoral Code entered into force on 1 June 2016. It increases the quota for women’s representation to 25 per cent of women in elective bodies this year from 20 per cent and aims to gradually increase it to 30 per cent by 2021.

Armenia has also implemented the Action Plan “On Promoting Gender Balance among Candidates for Judges”, increasing the level of involvement of women in the judicial system. As of May 2016, the number of female judges amounts to nearly 25 per cent.

The Ministry of Justice has set up a working group to elaborate a draft law “On Domestic Violence”. Additionally, Armenia has commenced the internal preparatory work to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. [ Full update ]