Over 30 women and men from Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia increased their knowledge about gender equality and received practical parenting skills within the “Caring for Equality” course. The series of courses was held in Vanadzor and Ijevan Family Corners in April-May 2022. In both centers, all participants successfully completed the course.

“During the course, we learned practical skills and acquired knowledge, starting from childcare to family relationships. Each topic is connected to real life and uniquely essential to the relationship between couples,” says 32-year-old Vahan Davoyan, one of the course participants at the Vanadzor Family Corner.

Vahan emphasizes that in his family, he will be guided by the idea of mutual respect and gender equality.

“Love and mutual trust are the bases of a peaceful and harmonious family. It has always led our family. But during this course, we learned how to understand the fundamental principles of providing equal care in the family,” underlines 28-year-old Mariam Aghinyan, one of the beneficiaries of the Ijevan Family Corner. Mariam, who was expecting her second child, participated in the “Caring for Equality” course with her husband.

Mariam notes that the course allowed her to acquire new knowledge and parenting skills as well as to explore the experience of other families.

The “Caring for Equality” course had 18 participants at the Vanadzor Family Corner and 17 at the Ijevan Family Corner.

The course aims to promote the equality of girls and boys, women and men, increase men’s engagement in child care and parenting, and shift gender stereotypes.

“Caring for Equality” courses are conducted by Gyumri “Youth Initiatives Centre” NGO and World Vision Armenia in the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme, funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA in six EaP countries.

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This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union within the framework of the "EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme, implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA and funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UNFPA and UN Women and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Mari Mkhitaryan/UNFPA Armenia

Photos by Gyumri YIC NGO