UNFPA Armenia, with the help of its partner, the Women's Development Resource Center, tried to make International Women's Day memorable for women from families displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, and organized two events in Goris to mark the Day.

Thirty-eight pregnant women displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh were at the center of the first event. Irina Yolyan, Deputy Mayor of Goris, Lusine Sargsyan, UNFPA Armenia Programme Analyst, and Ruzanna Martirosyan, MD, Goris Medical Center, greeted and wished the best to the expectant mothers. Eduard Israelyan, the Coordinator for the EU-funded "Future Today" project implemented by UNFPA, was also present.

The representatives of the Women's Development Resource Center spoke about the significance of the Day, the importance of women's rights, equal opportunities, and reproductive health. Musical performances were given.

The women were provided with bedding and clothes for newborns, which were made by the displaced Nagorno-Karabakh women involved in the Goris Handmade social enterprise. In addition, UNFPA Armenia provided gift packages for newborns and expectant mothers.

The second event was organized for displaced women from Nagorno-Karabakh who found refuge in Goris community, and who were looking for work and opportunities to learn new skills and profession.

In order to encourage them, as well as to strengthen their role and participation in the community, three speakers were invited to the meeting: Irina Yolyan, Deputy Mayor of Goris, Gayane Martirosyan, Executive Director of the Mirhav Hotel in Goris, and Irina Darbinyan, a private entrepreneur and business consultant.

The participants were greeted by Lusine Sargsyan, UNFPA Armenia Programme Analyst, who emphasized the importance of women's capacity building and self-expression in these times of crisis.

During the meeting, each of the participants presented their work experience, shared their formula for success, as well as the difficulties that any woman may encounter during her career.

There was a Q&A session, the women of Nagorno-Karabakh were introduced to the services provided to women by the "Women's Development Resource Center" foundation, the opportunities to participate in professional and vocational courses, and the events planned for them in the near future.

The 41 women of displaced families from Nagorno-Karabakh who participated in the meeting were provided with dignity kits prepared with UNFPA support, bedding kits and surprise gifts from UNFPA Armenia.

The events were implemented within the framework of the UNFPA-funded "Psycho-Social Support to Women from Displaced Families of Nagorno-Karabakh".