The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024, #InspireInclusion, underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments, where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognise the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalised communities.

Mr. Marek Kuberski, EUMA’s Deputy Head of Mission stated in his opening remarks: “Recognising the crucial role that women play in society, we at EUMA have made progress towards enabling meaningful participation of women, by establishing a Gender and Human Rights Focal Point Network, which mainstreams the Women, Peace and Security agenda throughout the Missions activities. Externally, the Mission has conducted over 1,800 patrols along the Armenia/Azerbaijan border. These patrols include Human Security Patrols and are part of ongoing Confidence-Building efforts. We recognise the value, that the Mission’s interaction with civil society brings to mandate implementation.”

EUMA implements its mandate in line with the Council of the European Union’s Decisions establishing the Mission, applying the principle of gender equality and the agenda of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security.

As part of its tasks from the EU Member States, EUMA contributes to the confidence-building between Armenia and Azerbaijan also through engagement with civil society to identify ideas with the potential to build trust. The discussion about the Women, Peace, and Security agenda focused on searching for a common language to work together on the inclusion of women. The participants explored the ways women and minorities, also in the border communities, can be meaningfully represented in conflict-settings and contribute to sustainable peacebuilding efforts.

Women make up over half the population in Armenia and hearing their voice, their continued involvement in generation of innovative ideas is crucial for the vision of inclusive peace. Thus, also the civil society representatives emphasised the importance of the involvement of all members of society in building peace.

Ms. Gayane Abrahamyan, President at For Equal Rights, a civil society organisation advocating for equal rights in Armenia: “We have to state regrettably that during the previous 30 years, no woman was ever involved in the negotiation process during the Artsakh conflict, while women often bring unique insights and priorities to the table, fostering more inclusive and effective strategies for conflict resolution and community reconciliation. And I do believe that more inclusion and women's participation also help address the root causes of conflicts and promote social cohesion, ultimately contributing to long-lasting peace and stability.’’

EUMA

The civil society in Armenia comes as an important support to EUMA in building up strong partnerships within the Women, Peace and Security agenda.