YEREVAN – The EU Delegation to Armenia is organising a public debate on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day focusing on “Women as an active part of the civil society.”

The debate will take place on 10 December at “Erebuni Plaza” business centre. The European Union sees human rights as universal and indivisible, and it actively promotes and defends them both within its borders and when engaging in relations with partner countries like Armenia. In line with the 2014 motto of the International Human Rights Day, “Let’s stop the violence against women and girls right now,” the public debate will mark the importance of women's rights and provide an opportunity for an open discussion on gender equality and violence against women.

In addition, on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the European Union joined the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” campaign. For 16 consecutive days, EU Delegations around the world, including Armenia, have promoted raising awareness on the important role of women for sustainable development and advocated for eliminating gender violence. The European Union is also funding projects dedicated to the promotion women's role in decision making, as well as reduction of domestic and gender-based violence.

The participants in the public debate will include Dirk Lorenz, the Head of the Political, Economic, Press and Information Section of the EU Delegation, representatives of the United Nations, Council of Europe, OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Human Rights Defender's Office, as well as women’s rights NGOs in Armenia. The keynote lecture, entitled “Women’s rights are human rights” will be delivered by the UN Women UK representative Tuula Nieminen.