MEDFORD, Mass. — A panel discussion on “Armenian Women: Leadership, Empowerment, and Human Rights” will take place on Wednesday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m., at Tufts University, Alumni
Lounge, 40 Talbot Ave.
The program is organized by the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) / Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Lecture Series on Contemporary Armenian Issues and hosted by the Tufts Armenian Club, with the co-sponsorship of the Armenian Bar Association, AGBU-YP Boston, Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), all ASAs at Boston-Area Universities, and New Paths-Bridging Armenian Women.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Anna Ohanyan, Richard B. Finnegan Distinguished Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Stonehill College, and will feature the participation of Dr. Denise Horn, associate professor and chair, political science and international relations, Simmons College; Nairi Krafian, past president, Tufts University Armenian Club, and founder of Oknooshoon animal therapy project in Armenia; via Skype, Nvard Manasyan, Gender Equality Officer, UNICEF; and Maro Matossian, executive director, Women’s Support Center, Armenia.
Many studies have demonstrated that investment in women and girls strengthens democracy and weakens authoritarianism, makes families healthier, peace agreements more durable and societies less vulnerable to extremism, violence and terrorist recruitment.
Unfortunately, many studies also show that gender discrimination and physical assaults on women are global and systemic in nature. From the “Me Too” movement, women’s marches in Washington, New York City and Boston, all the way to the City Council in Yerevan, it has become painfully clear that violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon.
