Within the framework of the “Human Rights with and for Refugees” project, supported by the European Union, we started the second day of the camp with displaced persons from Nagorno Karabakh together with Knarik Mkrtchyan, discussing human security, women’s needs and expectations.

Afterwards, public figure Lianna Petrosyan presented state programs related to employment opportunities and economic empowerment for people displaced from Artsakh.

Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan then spoke about human rights, responsibilities, and the importance of their practical application, helping participants better understand their rights and available protection mechanisms.

We concluded the day with an art therapy session conducted by Laura Harutyunyan, which supported participants in expressing their feelings and experiences and contributed to their emotional well-being.

The “Human Rights with and for Refugees” project is implemented with the support of the European Union by the Democracy Development Foundation, the Estonian Refugee Council, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, and Commit Global.The project aims to support and empower displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh by increasing their knowledge and awareness, as well as ensuring access to information about available services and opportunities.

You can donate to support our work here.

With the support of the European Union, within the framework of the project “Human Rights With and For Refugees,” the long-awaited camp for displaced persons from Nagorno Karabakh took place.

On the first day, we started with an introductory game and the collection of expectations facilitated by the camp facilitator, Laura Simonyan.

 Afterwards, the President of the organization, Karine Davtyan, presented the services provided by the organization and the support delivered to displaced people from Artsakh, as well as the achieved results.

Then, trainer Ani Kojyan addressed the types of violence and protection mechanisms. The day was concluded by Siran Hovhannisyan, who presented the topics of equality and anti-discrimination, helping participants understand equality, identify discrimination, and develop supportive responses.

The project “Human Rights With and For Refugees” is implemented with the support of the European Union by the Democracy Development Foundation, the Estonian Refugee Council, the Coalition Against Violence Against Women, and Kumit Global.
The project aims to support and empower people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh by increasing their knowledge and awareness of their rights, as well as ensuring access to information about available services and opportunities․

You can donate to support our work here.

Within the sub-grant provided under the project “Promoting Women’s Participation in Political and Civic Life,” the first theatre performance dedicated to the topic of bullying against children was held at the Gyumri Aesthetic Center.

The audience watched a performance based on Ray Bradbury’s “All Summer in a Day,” followed by a panel discussion with field specialists on bullying and its prevention.
The performance created an opportunity to address important social issues, raise public awareness, and contribute to building a safer and more secure environment.

You can donate to support our work here.

 In Artik, we held another meeting on the prevention of violence, focusing on the concepts of healthy and unhealthy relationships, controlling behavior, forms of psychological pressure, disrespectful attitudes, and the timely identification of manifestations of violence.

During the meeting, we also discussed the importance of mutual respect and trust in relationships.
The goal of these awareness-raising activities is to increase the level of awareness among women and girls and to support the formation of safe, healthy, and respectful relationships.

You can donate to support our work here.

We held a meeting at the Akhuryan Community Unified Social Service with individuals forcibly displaced from Artsakh.

At the meeting, we presented the activities of the institution and the available opportunities with us, as well as the program implemented within the framework of the “Human Rights with and for Refugees” initiative, aimed at supporting and empowering displaced persons.

 We introduced the participants to the upcoming camps and self-defense courses planned for the coming months, which are designed to promote personal safety, increase self-confidence, and encourage active participation.

You can donate to support our work here.

We held another awareness session, during which we discussed violence prevention, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and guidelines, highlighting various forms of control, psychological pressure, disrespectful behavior, and violence.

During the discussion, we also addressed the importance of maintaining personal boundaries, mutual respect, and trust.
The aim of the awareness session is to increase knowledge and vigilance among women and girls, promoting the development of healthy, respectful, and safe relationships.

You can donate to support our work here.

 With the support of the European Union, a collage therapy session was held at the KIT office with women displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, within the framework of the “Human Rights with and for Refugees” program.

During the collage therapy session, participants worked with their emotions and thoughts through creative activities, which contributed to emotional relief and self-expression.

The “Human Rights with and for Refugees” program is implemented with the support of the European Union by the Democratic Development Foundation, the Estonian Refugee Council, the Coalition Against Violence Towards Women, and Kemit Global.

The program aims to support and empower people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh by increasing awareness of their rights and ensuring access to information about available services and opportunities.

You can donate to support our work here․

We are looking for an additional Social Worker to join our team.
Position: Social Worker
 Location: Gyumri
 Application Deadline: January 24

Key Responsibilities:

•Assess beneficiaries’ needs and develop individual support plans.
•Provide social and informational counseling.
•Cooperate with community resources to ensure access to necessary services.
•Organize and implement programs based on beneficiaries’ needs.
•Collect data and prepare reports.
•Manage the hotline and statistics, complete databases and related documentation.
•Conduct awareness-raising activities related to support programs, and participate in meetings and trainings.
•Perform other duties related to the position.

Requirements

•Education in social work or a related field.
•Minimum of 2 years of work experience in social work.
•Ability to work in stressful situations.
•Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
•Excellent command of the Armenian language (knowledge of English will be considered an advantage).
•Computer skills (MS Office, Excel, etc.).

If you are interested, please complete the following application by January 24 — here.

“Human Rights for and with Refugees” project is implemented with the support of the European Union by Democracy Development Foundation, Estonian Refugee Council, Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, and Commit Global. The project focuses on empowering refugees from Nagorno Karabakh by providing essential knowledge about their rights, addressing vulnerabilities, and improving access to user-friendly resources on their entitlements and opportunities.

We met once again with our sub-grantees, during which we discussed ongoing activities and the steps aimed at ensuring sustainability.

In 2025, we have once again funded 5 community development initiatives that will contribute to the well-being of communities and residents, increased awareness, and overall community welfare.

These initiatives are implemented in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy.

You can donate to support our work here

The Women’s Rights House warmly congratulates you all on the upcoming holidays and wishes that the new year be filled with peace, justice, solidarity, and equality.

With love, we summarize the results of this year through an infographic.

In 2025, the organization implemented a number of programs aimed at preventing violence, women’s economic empowerment, and promoting their political participation.

You can donate to support our work here.

One of our sub-grantees addressed pressing issues present in society through a film, which will effectively contribute to raising public awareness and enhancing legal literacy.

Director and composer of the film’s music: Parandzem Sahakyan
Screenwriter: Armen Arshaluisyan
Cinematographer: Gurgen Ginosyan

The program is implemented in cooperation with our partner, the National Endowment for Democracy.

You can donate to support our work here.

During the meeting, we addressed:

 building healthy relationships with children,
 positive parenting methods,
 the importance of parental self-care and its impact on the child.

At the WRH office, children watched the film “Snow White.”

The film conveys that sometimes even the smallest promise can save a person’s life.
It teaches children that kindness should be everywhere and shows that even small acts of help can save lives.
It fosters empathy and responsibility, reminding us that each of us can become someone’s salvation.

You can donate to support our work here

During the parenting session, the following topics were discussed:
 Building healthy relationships with children,
  Positive parenting methods,
 The importance of parental self-care.

The open discussion with parents provided an opportunity to better understand their children’s needs, as well as to notice subtle aspects of their own behavior that may influence their relationship with their child.

During the therapy session, participants had the opportunity to explore their inner world in a creative environment and express their emotions. The process of creating collages stimulated imagination and helped make inner feelings visible. Such meetings contribute to emotional well-being and the strengthening of community ties.

You can donate to support our work here.

 This time, the awareness-raising meeting took place in Tsoghamarg.

The President of the organization and legal expert, Karine Davtyan, conducted an awareness session dedicated to violence prevention, legislative mechanisms, as well as healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Participants had the opportunity to hear real-life stories, share existing challenges, and receive answers to the questions that concerned them.

 The active discussion contributed to raising awareness among community members and encouraged a more caring and supportive attitude toward one another.

You can donate to support our work here.

In November, the organization’s social worker, Knarik Simonyan, participated in a conference in Strasbourg dedicated to combating gender-based violence.

During the event, participants met with Jeanne Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg; Véronique Bertholle, Deputy Mayor in charge of international and European relations; Christelle Vidal, Deputy Mayor for women’s rights and gender equality; as well as representatives of civil society organizations working in the field of women’s rights .As part of the program, Knarik also took part in study visits to Strasbourg-based NGOs engaged in the protection of women’s rights and presented Armenia’s and the Women’s Rights House’s experience.

The aim of the meeting was to establish connections between Armenian and French cities through experience exchange and new opportunities for cooperation.

You can donate to suppurt our work here.

This time, the clay therapy session was held in our office.

 During the therapy sessions, adults had the opportunity to discover themselves from a different angle. Working with clay became a unique process of self-expression and self-discovery, while the tactile interaction with the clay made it possible to bring out emotions that are sometimes difficult to express in words.
Therapies like this allow people to disconnect from everyday concerns, return to their inner world, and listen to the feelings that often remain unnoticed.

You can donate to support our work here․

Together with our partners from Strasbourg and Vanadzor, we are launching a new mentorship program that brings together 16 women — 8 from Armenia and 8 from Strasbourg, France — with the aim of fostering mutual learning and experience-sharing.

The program is designed for young professional women who wish to develop their leadership, communication, and self-confidence skills with the guidance of experienced mentors.

Key Development Areas for Mentees

 Self-confidence and public speaking skills

 Leadership and community engagement

 Cross-cultural understanding and collaboration

 Emotional resilience and peer support

By the end of the program, mentees will be able to:
Clearly express their ideas in public platforms
Implement or lead community initiatives
Collaborate effectively with participants from diverse cultural backgrounds
Apply emotional resilience tools and build a support network․

Eligibility Requirements:
Be up to 35 years old
Reside in Armenia
Have an interest in leadership, civic engagement, or professional development
Be ready to commit to a six-month mentorship journey (March–September 2026)
Have sufficient English proficiency for communication․

 Participation is free of charge.

Application deadline: December 14

Fill out the application here․

The program is implemented within the framework of the Strasbourg–Vanadzor French-Armenian decentralized cooperation, in collaboration with partner organizations including “NGO Center” Civil Society Development Organization, Women’s Rights House NGO, Centre d’Information sur les Droits des Femmes et des Familles (CIDFF), Association Française des Femmes Diplômées des Universités (AFFDU), and La Cité des Lionnes. The program is co-funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

 Today, the organization’s psychologist Laura Harutyunyan conducted a group session with adolescents․

During the meeting, the psychologist used various methods aimed at enhancing the participants’ self-awareness, self-confidence, and emotional regulation skills .

Throughout the group discussions, the adolescents had the opportunity to freely express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns .

Such meetings play an important role in developing adolescents’ psychological well-being, self-confidence․

:You can donate to support our work here

“Mari” Performance at the Vardan Achemyan Drama Theatre in Gyumri

The play is based on the real stories of women who have sought support from the Women’s Rights House, inspired by Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Maro.” It tells a story of women’s strength, resilience, and community change — reminding us of the importance of care and solidarity toward those around us.

The performance highlights both visible and invisible issues such as domestic, psychological, economic, and sexual violence and harassment, early marriage, labor rights, and more.

The performance will be shown as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign — an international initiative held from November 25 to December 10, aimed at raising awareness about violence against women and girls and calling for action to build a society free from violence.

📅 December 3
📍 Small Hall of the Gyumri Drama Theatre
🎟️ Free entrance for everyone

Within the framework of the topic “Women in Politics: Challenges and Obstacles,” women’s rights defender Karine Davtyan spoke in an interview with Aravot news outlet about the existing stereotypes in society, family-imposed limitations, and the lack of self-confidence among women.

She emphasized that the programs implemented in the Shirak region have contributed to increasing women’s political involvement and strengthening their role in decision-making processes.

You can read the full article here:

To support our activities, you can make a donation here.

Karine Davtyan, in an interview with Factor TV, spoke about the increase in cases of violence. According to her, this rise is due to two main factors — the actual increase in incidents of violence and the growing tendency of victims to report these cases to law enforcement authorities.

“It is important to continue awareness-raising efforts and show society that violence should not be hidden — it must be prevented,” said Karine Davtyan.

You can watch the full interview here:

To support our activities, you can make a donation here.

Armenian Public TV’s covered the Women’s Rights House’s 8th anniversary event.

Thank you for the coverage.

You can see the whole coverage here.

To support our activities, you can make a donation here.

Shant TV covered the Women’s Rights House’s 8th anniversary event.

Thank you for the coverage.

You can watch the full coverage here.

To support our activities, you can make a donation here.

Regions TV covered the Women’s Rights House’s 8th anniversary event.

Thank you for the coverage.

You can see the full coverage here.

To support our activities, you can make a donation here.

«Կանանց հարթակ» փոդքաստի հաղորդումը, որի հյուրն էր «Կանանց Իրավունքների Տուն» ՀԿ նախագահ Կարինե Դավթյանը կարող եք դիտել նաև անգլերեն ենթագրերով։

Ամբողջական հաղորդումն անգլերեն ենթագրերով կարող եք դիտել այստեղ։

Մեր գործունեությանը աջակցելու համար կարող եք նվիրատվություն կատարել այստեղ։

On October 1, the National Day of Prevention Domestic Violence, Karine Davtyan, President of the Women’s Rights House NGO, a member of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, was hosted at the “Aravot Luso” pavilion.

During the program, Karine spoke about domestic violence, its possible causes and the organization’s activities.

You can watch the hole program here.

To support our activities, you can make a donation here.

Research Conducted in 2025 on Legal Mechanisms and Implementation Methods Regarding Domestic Violence.

The Women’s Rights House, in collaboration with the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, has conducted a study that includes:
Legislative gaps and reforms to align with international standards.
Clarification of criminal justice mechanisms and enhancement of the effectiveness of violence prevention.
Expansion and accessibility of support platforms for survivors of violence.
Development of public awareness and educational programs.

You can access the research, as well as the recommendations presented here.

The English version of the research you can find here.

The consequences of violence have a profound impact on individuals, but it’s important to know that there are defense mechanisms that can help restore confidence and strength.
This video highlights ways to cope with and overcome these challenges.

Economic independence and political participation enable women not only to transform their own lives but also to contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.
This video showcases how these initiatives translate into real success stories.

This time, the topic was the prevention of violence and healthy vs. unhealthy relationships.
The organization’s president/lawyer, Karine Davtyan, introduced the participants to the types of violence, legal mechanisms, and the foundations of healthy and unhealthy relationships through various methods and games.
Participants learned about red, yellow, and green flags in relationships, also known as the traffic light rule, as well as protection mechanisms.

This time, we had a meeting with representatives of the Mush Division of the RA Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Community Police.

During the meeting, we discussed effective ways of collaboration, existing challenges, and practical solutions with the police officers.

As the regional center for the prevention of domestic/sexual violence in Shirak, we emphasize the importance of regular meetings to enhance mutual cooperation.

Relaxation Therapy for AdultsRelaxation therapy not only provides an opportunity to take a break from daily life but also helps achieve a sense of harmony and stability both mentally and physically.

To participate in our therapies, you can call us at 077-570-870.

This therapy session was conducted as part of the “Human Rights for and with Refugees” program, implemented with the support of the European Union by the Democracy Development Foundation, the Estonian Refugee Council, the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women, and Kummit Global. The program is aimed at supporting and empowering refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh by enhancing their knowledge and awareness of their rights and ensuring access to services and opportunities designed for them.

This time, we hosted representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, the Embassy of Estonia in Tbilisi, and the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV).
During the meeting, we discussed the effectiveness of the programs implemented and the possibilities for future collaboration.
We were delighted to welcome our partners and discuss the continuous and effective progress of our cooperation!

We are presenting the recommendations and justifications proposed by the Women’s Rights House regarding amendments to the Laws of the Republic of Armenia on “Regulating the Circulation of Weapons,” “On the Police,” and related legislation.

Several organizations active in the field have joined this statement.

🔗 You can view the statement here.

Today, a session of the electoral commission was held at the Gyumri Municipality, during which the 2025 participatory budgeting proposals were discussed.

During the session, we presented a proposal aimed at community development.

Participatory budgeting is an important tool that allows residents and organizations of the community to actively engage in the decision-making process regarding financial matters, contributing to the city’s development.

 Community visits and meetings with our women are very important to us.

This month, we conducted a training session on the topic of “Awareness and Healthy Relationships” in the Ayghabats community and held a mandala therapy session in the Azatan community.

The organization’s president/lawyer, Karine Davtyan, spoke about types of violence and ways to prevent them, changes in the legal framework, opportunities for legal support, and healthy relationships. Meanwhile, psychologist Laura Harutyunyan conducted psychological therapy with adults.

We will continue raising awareness and standing by women and girls.

Psychological Therapy in Benyamin Settlement!

This time, our psychologist, Laura Harutyunyan, conducted a clay therapy session with adults.

Each therapy session is not only a creative process but also a path to self-discovery, harmony, and the importance of self-care.

We are thrilled to announce that our participants have successfully completed their training in Graphic Design, UI/UX Design, and SMM (Social Media Management)!

As part of the Economic Empowerment Program, 15 women and girls from the Shirak region acquired new professional skills that will help them quickly adapt to the job market and achieve financial independence. Upon completing the program, participants passed their final exams and received graduation certificates.

We are also delighted to share that our top students have been offered opportunities to continue with practical training.

We extend our gratitude to our partners, TCO Gyumri and CreateOn Academy, for their effective collaboration.

The program was implemented in partnership with the Global Fund for Women.

This month, business consultant Aram Harutyunyan conducted another round of successful business workshops on the topics of “Networking and Communication Skills” and “Tax Legislation.”

During the workshops, participants explored building and maintaining valuable connections in business, the secrets of effective communication, and insights into tax legislation.

Every step brings our women closer to maintaining competitiveness in the job market and increasing their involvement in the entrepreneurial sector.

Clay Therapy in Keti Settlement

Today, we conducted clay therapy with adults in the Keti settlement. During the session, participants were able to:

🔸 Relieve tension,
🔸 Uncover their creative abilities,
🔸 Achieve inner peace and harmony.

As part of the “Promoting Women’s Participation in Political and Civic Life” program, a concluding meeting took place.

During the meeting, participants shared their experiences gained during the implementation of their projects, discussed the challenges they overcame, and shared their successes.

They also reflected on the impact of the projects on their communities, emphasizing the importance of women’s involvement in political and civic life.

The successful implementation of the program was made possible with the support of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).