On the agenda: contraception study presentation and presentation of a son preference project book

Yerevan, 11 July 2012 – Today, at Best Western Congress Hotel, UNFPA Armenia held an event devoted to 2012 World Population Day. Representatives from the RoA Government, international and non-governmental institutions, the media, as well as at least one young and talented photographer and 2011 Na/Ne Media Award nominees attended the event.

Mr. Garik Hayrapetyan, UNFPA Armenia Assistant Representative addressed the participants in his welcome notes.

Presentation of “The Lost Balance: Son Preference in Armenia” project book continued the event. The book was comprised of two components: articles covering prenatal sex selection submitted to 2011 Na/Ne Media Awards; and works of young Armenian photographer Narek Bakhtamyan devoted to son preference in Armenia.

“Already today, as a result of son preference and subsequent prenatal sex selection we have a surplus of boys in our country, which in one-two decade may give rise to serious problems; and this is happening by our tacit consent, while the public could and, we may say, should change the situation”, said Garik Hayrapetyan at the presentation.

Following that, Ms. Meri Khachikyan, Director of “For Family and Health” Pan-Armenian Association NGO, made a presentation on ”Key Factors Influencing Contraceptive Behavior in Eastern Europe and Central Asia”. The presentation covered a 2011 study conducted in seven countries of the region including Armenia, which was aimed at increasing the understanding of the low use of modern contraception and the key factors influencing contraceptive behavior in the region.

Upon the conclusion of the event, UNFPA Armenia honored Prof. Razmik Abrahamyan, Director, Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, RA MOH Chief Obstetrician- Gynecologist as UNFPA champion in the sphere of reproductive health.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

For additional information please contact:

Mr. Mher Manukyan, Communication Assistant, UNFPA Armenia
E-mail: manukyan@unfpa.org
Phone: (+374 10) 54 34 17; (+374 77) 03 25 25; (+374 91) 42 90 29