Yerevan - Today the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in South Caucasus” project was launched with participation of main stakeholders from national, regional and local governments, international and local NGOs, as well as female and youth leaders and entrepreneurs. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and is implemented the by UN Women, in partnership with UNDP in Armenia.

The main objective of the project is to ensure that women, particularly the poor and socially excluded, are economically empowered and participate in relevant decision-making.

Vache Terteryan, First Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Development, Stefano Lazzarotto, Ambassador of Switzerland to Armenia, Shombi Sharp UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia, Erika Kvapilova UN Women Representative in Georgia, Dmitri Mariassin, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Armenia, and Nora Alanakyan, Deputy Head of Office, Austrian Development Agency Office in Armenia, welcomed the participants of the workshop.

The economic empowerment of women – to succeed and advance economically and to make and act on economic decisions – is a prerequisite for realizing gender equality and empowering women in all areas of life. It is also a cornerstone for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

The project will use a three-pronged approach to increase women’s economic empowerment. First, women, particularly the poor and socially excluded, will be provided with skills, economic opportunities and relevant information to be self-employed and/or to join the formal labour sector; second, adequate legislative and policy frameworks will be put in place and implemented to enable women’s economic empowerment; and finally, government and public institutions will develop and deliver gender-responsive programmes, public services, strategies and plans for women’s economic empowerment.

It is expected that, as a result of project’s interventions, gender inequalities in the labour field in Armenia will be reduced, and an environment conducive for the realization of women’s economic potential will be created, as well as the key structural barriers for women’s economic empowerment will be dismantled.

During the ‘Davos style’ panel discussion experts, entrepreneurs, government and youth representatives discussed the enabling factors, opportunities and challenges for women economic activity in Armenia and proposed workable approaches in reaching out and engaging women who need support the most.