Gender and Elections Workshop in Armenia

UNDP Armenia conducted a BRIDGE modular workshop on Gender and Elections in 4 Armenian localities, that included Tzaghkadzor, Dilizhan, Vanadzor and Yerevan.

Participants learnt gender stereotypes, international standards regulating women`s participation in politics, and gender quotas; looked at the gender oriented public funding and the role of CSOs in increasing women`s participation in elections and learnt how to build effective voter and civic education campaigns on this topic.

In particular, workshop participants reviewed the elements, objectives and guiding principles of a legal framework; explored primary sources for international electoral standards and the impact of differing legal interpretations; learnt on rights and access for women in politics; identified needs and roles of key players; compared international experience with the one in Armenia;

reviewed the types of gender incentives under the public funding and examined accepted standards and principles in relation on increasing women`s participation in elections.

The workshops were held in Tsaghkadzor, on June 18-19, 2021, in Dilijan, on June 22, in Vanadzor, on June 24, in Yerevan on June 26 and hosted by the UNDP.

The workshops were facilitated by BRIDGE accrediting-level facilitators Iuliia Shypilova and Tetyana Bibik. Sixty-six participants from local NGOs, gender activists and students took active part in the workshop.

Interactive exercises were proposed for participants, so that they learn in role playing. The formats included the following: brain storming sessions, level playing fields, work in groups, all these formats helped participants to learn in more effective way.

The participants marked both formats and content of the workshop. They mentioned that the subject of the workshop was very new for them. They said that due to interactive exercises, easy formats, methodology and structured approach, they learnt the new topic and succeeded to get better use out of it. As to the content, participants said they liked the logic on how the agenda was built. They valued case studies and examples of other countries on increase of women in the political processes. Talking about formats of the workshop they mentioned that diversity of formats and interactional exercises brought knowledge in the user-friendly format for their better understanding and perception.

Participants throughout the workshop have expressed interest and actively engaged in all the activities. They have appreciated the creativity and structural approach preparations of work of the facilitators and have evaluated all the topics with the highest marks.

The workshops have met its objectives. Final evaluation was arranged dividing participants in target groups and focusing on the impact of the workshop, as well as future usage of the knowledge received during the workshop.

At the end, all the participants have received certificates in recognition of completion of the workshop on Gender and Elections.