On 15 May 2019, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and UNFPA Armenia Country Office held a press conference at the Ministry devoted to the International Day of Families. May 15 was first announced by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Families in 1993.

Mr. Smbat Saiyan, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and Ms. Tsovinar Harutyunyan, UNFPA Armenia Country Office Assistant Representative spoke at the press conference.

The speakers touched upon a wide range of issues that affect the well-being, aspirations and the future of families both globally, in the region and in Armenia in particular.

Mr. Saiyan mentioned that in the 21st century families face new and everchanging challenges. He also spoke about specific Government policies that target families in particular from the demographic perspective.

Ms. Harutyunyan presented the main findings of the State of the World Population Report 2019 that UNFPA had released recently. She covered both the global and regional perspectives making special references to the situation in Armenia in regards with fertility, maternal mortality, child marriage, modern contraception prevalence, et cetera, describing the possible implications for women and girls, as well as families.