14-year-old Neli Nersisyan from Berd community of Tavush region has discovered her passion for the digital and has already managed to master various professions. This has led to enriching her abilities and earning her own income. "I have always been interested in IT and tried to learn various skills online. Indeed, I am still young, but I already have my income, and I can also help my parents," shares the young girl.

Neli, along with four other girls and women from the Berd community of the Tavush region, participated in a two-month graphic design course initiated by The Body Shop Armenia in cooperation with the UNFPA Armenia CO. The course was organized at WINNET Berd, one of the beneficiary organizations of the "FUTURE TODAY: Empowering women, youth and children for deepening democracy in Armenia" Project implemented with the financial support of the European Union. Participants of different ages and occupations learned the skills from graphic designer Garik Vanyan. 

The course provided Neli with an opportunity to become more professionally skilled. While attending school, she works remotely as a graphic designer with several Armenian and American companies.

"The enriching course at Winnet Berd provided an excellent opportunity for me to delve deep into graphic design programs and honed my skills in creating stunning visual materials.  Now, I can create attractive design works and even earn some income from my passion," Neli says. 

19-year-old finance specialist Gayane Shahnazaryan was another participant in the course. She believes that implementing such programs is very effective in terms of empowering the girls of the marzes (regions) and enriching their abilities, especially since there are few opportunities in the regional communities. 

"Specifically, there are not many job opportunities in our region, and such skills allow you to earn money by working remotely and be financially stable. I am a student, and in that sense, it is essential for me to work from home using these skills," Gayane highlights.

At the beginning of the course, Gayane had no idea that graphic design would interest her so much. "The classes held two days a week for two hours were so rich that I was looking forward to the next class. I am also ready to share my knowledge with other girls in our community because the more girls and women have access to such opportunities, the more they will be able to find employment."

According to Anna Vanyan, project coordinator at WINNET Berd, the participants worked with love and motivation. "Such initiatives provide wonderful opportunities for young girls in regions to be closer to the digital world, to use the latest technologies, and to find a job, combining study, education, and other occupations."

As emphasizes WINNET Berd coordinator Hasmik Ghalumyan, now they are thinking of organizing such courses for larger groups. "There are not many girls and women with such knowledge in our region, but the result and impact of this course were so great that it motivated other women and girls in the community to desire to acquire new skills and earn money with it."

In order to support women and girls living in border communities and as part of a memorandum of cooperation signed with UNFPA Armenia, The Body Shop Armenia allocated 4% of its monthly profit to empower young girls in the Berd region by donating four computers and initiating a two-month graphic design course in February 2023. 

Economic empowerment of women and girls is crucial for their development and the progress of the community as a whole. UNFPA Armenia, in cooperation with partners, continues efforts to create similar opportunities for women and girls in Armenia and contribute to fulfilling their potential. 

Taking into account the high demand for graphic design courses, UNFPA Armenia office will support the organization of another training course within the "Addressing Gender- Biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in the South Caucasus: Support to Regional, National and South-South Interventions" project, funded by the European Union. A new course for four participants will start in June 2023.

Mari Mkhitaryan
Photos: UNFPA Armenia, WINNET Berd