World Population Day was celebrated in the Jil settlement of Gegharkunik province of Armenia, under the slogan "Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities".

The event, organized by the UNFPA Armenia Country Office in cooperation with the EU Delegation in Armenia and the UN Armenia Office, emphasized the importance of equal participation in community development and the empowerment of women and girls.

The host, the administrative head of the Jil settlement, Mikayel Gharibyan, welcomed the attendees.

"I am very happy that this important day is celebrated in our village. Thank you for making the day of the people of our village interesting and different. I am sure that many important issues will be raised today, and I hope that together we will offer solutions to the problems," he said.

"In Armenia, we witnessed the strength and endurance of people living in border communities. It also stems from the strength of the women and girls who live there. By including women and girls, Armenia's border communities have immense potential to promote their development and contribute to the progress of the nation. The United Nations is committed to working with government, civil society and stakeholders to empower these communities and contribute to their well-being," said Neils Scott, the UN Resident Coordinator ai in Armenia.

"Congratulations on the World Population Day and I am very happy to host it here. The projects aimed at empowering the population of the border communities are very important, so I wish success to your projects," said Artak Sargsyan, representative of the Gegharkunik province administration.

The celebrations started with the presentation of the book "50 Women with Disabilities Who Changed the World". This compelling collection showcases the remarkable achievements and contributions of women with disabilities, including of Armenian origin, a testament to their indomitable spirit and strength.

"Today we emphasize that we can have a strong, developed community only thanks to the equal participation, efforts and contributions of both women and men. And it is along that path that the opportunities and conditions should be created for all members of the community to contribute to the development of their school, village, region, and the country. As an UNFPA, we are ready to work together with you, listen to your needs and build our programs accordingly. But also know that only thanks to your support, we will be able to take big steps forward," said Tsovinar Harutyunyan, UNFPA Armenia Head of Office.

After the presentation, book collections were donated to the school libraries of Jil, Tsapatagh and Artanish villages, enriching the educational resources of the students and promoting the culture of reading and learning.

A "Sportlandia" competition game between the teams of Jil, Tsapatagh and Artanish villages was also held at the event. As a result of the fun competition, the first place was won by Jil, the second place by Tsapatagh, and the third place by the team of Artanish.

Through this celebration, UNFPA, the EU and the UN seek to inspire positive change, empower individuals and contribute to a more inclusive and just society.

The event is organized within the framework of “Addressing Gender-Biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in the South Caucasus: Support for Regional, National and South–South Interventions” project. The project is funded by the European Union and UNFPA.The event is organized within the framework of “Addressing Gender-Biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in the South Caucasus: Support for Regional, National and South–South Interventions” project. The project is funded by the European Union and UNFPA.The event is organized within the framework of “Addressing Gender-Biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in the South Caucasus: Support for Regional, National and South–South Interventions” project. The project is funded by the European Union and UNFPA.