YEREVAN. - Coalition to Stop Violence against Women marked the National Day Against Domestic Violence today by holding a candle-lighting in Yerevan’s Republic Square in memory of 60 victims of domestic violence.  

“The aim was to stress the existence of domestic violence in Armenia, and remember those women who committed suicide, were killed or simply beaten by their husbands as a result of domestic violence in Armenia,” member of the “Society Without Violence” NGO Sona Hovakimyan told Armenian News – NEWS.am.

The candle-lighting was attended not only by the members of the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women, but also a large number of concerned citizens, who lit candles by the photos and goods of women who became victims of domestic violence.

The Coalition to Stop Violence against Women also held a shoe exhibition of 60 women who died as a result of domestic violence. Besides, around dozens of coalition members staged a protest in front of the Armenian government building demanding to adopt a law on preventing domestic violence.

The National Day against Domestic Violence was declared in Armenia in 2010 in memory of Zaruhi Petrosyan who died as a result of domestic violence. The message of the day is to prevent domestic violence, raise public awareness and create healthy families.