The International Day of Families event held in Gyumri on May 20, 2023, celebrated the positive impact and changes brought by the "EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme. Over 70 young Armenians gathered in a spirit of harmony and a shared commitment to equal responsibility to commemorate this special day and acknowledge the achievements of the programme.

The event emphasized the importance of gender equality and men's engagement in building strong and harmonious families. The celebration began with a concert by “Gyumri State Musical College after Kara-Murza College” students. Participants of the event including representatives from the UN Women, UNFPA, Shirak regional government, and local NGOs, affirmed their commitment to gender equality and highlighted the crucial role of the family as a microcosm of society.

"Family is a beautiful expression of love, characterized by a balanced division of labor and precious moments shared together. It brings immense joy to witness families that exemplify such solidarity, showcasing how to care for children together equally and raise them into happy, smiling individuals," stressed Lusine Sargsyan, Acting Head of Office, UNFPA Armenia.

In partnership with the Youth Initiatives Center NGO, the International Day of Families event aimed to emphasize the significance of equal involvement and care within the family and contribute to a more equitable society. According to the "Baseline Study on Stereotypes in Eastern Partnership Countries" published in 2022 within the "EU 4 Gender Equality" programme, household chores and caregiving remain primarily women's duties in Armenia. Only 12% of women and 19% of men perceive household chores as shared. To shift this perception and achieve an equal division of family care, the programme implemented a number of awareness-raising events, campaigns and activities, including "Caring for Equality" parenting courses and Papa School sessions, sensitizing young women and men and key stakeholders in Armenia.

"The healthy and happy family model is a strong foundation for every society. By establishing safe spaces and environments in the Family Corners located in the Shirak, Lori, and Tavush regions, we can proudly state that we have cultivated a generation of young individuals and families with valuable knowledge on equal involvement and positive parenting," said Artur Najaryan, Chairman of the International Board of Youth Initiatives Centre NGO.

A significant part of the event was the session "The Impact of the Programme on My Family," during which beneficiary families shared their personal stories of transformation and empowerment resulting from the "EU 4 Gender Equality" programme. Irina from the Tavush region shared her experiences of actively participating in the sessions and meetings held at the Ijevan Family Corner. She said that the programme significantly impacted her life.  The discussions around childcare allowed the couple to understand the power of equal distribution of responsibilities within the family, resulting in her husband spending more time on caregiving.

The event featured guest speakers from diverse fields, through a "Human Library" experience, where they shared their personal experiences and success stories in family and personal life. This interactive session engaged participants of different ages and interests․

As the event drew to a close, a family photo encapsulated the love that binds family members together. During the "EU 4 Gender Equality" programme implementation, celebrating equality in the family has become a tradition already for three years. Special occasions, such as International Day of Families, International Men's Day, etc., served as an effective platform where beneficiaries from the Shirak, Lori and Tavush regions gathered to share positive experiences and speak up about the importance of equality and respectful relationships.

The International Day of Families celebration event in Gyumri was implemented as part of the "EU4Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence" programme, funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA. 

This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of UNFPA and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Mari Mkhitaryan/ UNFPA Armenia
Photos: UNFPA Armenia and YIC