Resume
Violence against women (VAW) is widespread in post-war Armenia. An estimated 1 in 4 women are subjected to intimate partner violence. Protection mechanisms provided by the law on VAW, and other support services are extremely scarce and only two women’s shelters exist in Armenia, both placed in Yerevan and run by NGOs. Yet, there is a momentum to address VAW, given the newly adopted second National Action Plan (NAP) of UNSCR1325 on women, peace and security (WPS). The purpose of this project is to enable and empower local communities in the border regions of Armenia to address VAW and counteract the lack of protection and prevention mechanisms. We will engage local communities to stand against VAW, to formulate and implement local action plans under UNSC1325, ensuring that women victims of violence know their rights, have active networks of support, and receive adequate support from frontline staff. Our ultimate goal is to take one step further towards the elimination of VAW in Armenia.