LEADER
WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES
According to
statistics of January 2012, there are 84981 women with disabilities officially registered in
Armenia. They face double discrimination because of their gender and
disability. Very often girls and women with disabilities face discrimination
because of the public cultural believes or stereotypes on woman’s role. Women
with disabilities currently are not involved in community events and
decision-making processes. Analyzing and
studying all these reasons “Agate” Center undertook the “Leader women with disabilities”
project. The project is financed by the
Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of US Embassy in Armenia.
Goal of the project
The
goal of the project is to promote the participation of
young women with disabilities in decision making processes in the communities
of 5 regions of Shirak Region (Artik, Maralik, Amasia and Akhuryan).
The objectives of the project are
·
Building capacities of young women with disabilities to
exercise their rights in decision making processes in their communities, in
rural areas of Shirak region.
·
Change attitudes of public authorities and local
self-governing bodies towards young women with disabilities, and encourage them
to involve young people with disabilities in their discussions on decision making
policies, strategic planning, monitoring and research in their communities.
·
Setting-up an interactive blog, this will elucidate
information on the participation of young women with disabilities in decision
making processes in Shirak Region.
·
Making a film on success stories of women with
disabilities’ participation in decision making processes.
The goal and the objectives of the
proposed project corresponds to the second and the third goals of the DemCom Grant program, as it supports the
rights of individuals with disabilities
and promotes opportunities for young
women with disabilities, and integrates them
into decision-making processes within their communities.
According to
statistics of January 2012, there are 84981 women with disabilities officially registered in
Armenia. They face double discrimination because of their gender and
disability. Very often girls and women with disabilities face discrimination
because of the public cultural believes or stereotypes on woman’s role. Women
with disabilities currently are not involved in community events and
decision-making processes. Analyzing and
studying all these reasons “Agate” Center undertook the “Leader women with disabilities”
project. The project is financed by the
Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of US Embassy in Armenia.
Goal of the project
The
goal of the project is to promote the participation of
young women with disabilities in decision making processes in the communities
of 5 regions of Shirak Region (Artik, Maralik, Amasia and Akhuryan).
The objectives of the project are
·
Building capacities of young women with disabilities to
exercise their rights in decision making processes in their communities, in
rural areas of Shirak region.
·
Change attitudes of public authorities and local
self-governing bodies towards young women with disabilities, and encourage them
to involve young people with disabilities in their discussions on decision making
policies, strategic planning, monitoring and research in their communities.
·
Setting-up an interactive blog, this will elucidate
information on the participation of young women with disabilities in decision
making processes in Shirak Region.
·
Making a film on success stories of women with
disabilities’ participation in decision making processes.
The goal and the objectives of the
proposed project corresponds to the second and the third goals of the DemCom Grant program, as it supports the
rights of individuals with disabilities
and promotes opportunities for young
women with disabilities, and integrates them
into decision-making processes within their communities.
The objectives of the project are
In the result of
project implementation
· The awareness of local
authorities in Gyumri and 5 regions of Shirak regions was raised on UN CRPD, RA National Gender
Equality Policy, and they are encouraged to involve women with disabilities in
decision making processes , as women
with disabilities understand and can represent their needs better.
· Women with disabilities living
in Shirak region have gained knowledge on local and international treaties and
policies reflecting their lives.
· 20 women with disabilities in
Shirak region have gained leadership and computer skills, their advocacy
capacities are developed and they are able to defend their rights.
· WWDs have become role models
in their communities, and they can reach out to other women with disabilities
in their communities, identify their problems and introduce them during
decision making processes.
· Participation in decision
making processes helps to improve living conditions and the status of women with
disabilities. They are able to influence
local authorities and civil society to include and address their needs.
· The needs and rights of women
with disabilities will be considered and included in community planning.
· Make a database of women with
disabilities in Shirak region.
· Agreement of cooperation is
signed between local authorities and “Agate” NGO so that the project
participant WWDs are allowed and welcomed to participate in the meetings of
local self-governing bodies.
· Interactive blog is created
with separate sections for each region, updating the first steps and achievements,
photos and videos with the participation of women with disabilities in decision
making processes.
· A film has been made and shown
on TV Channels for 3 times, which elucidates the project and success stories of
young women with disabilities beneficiaries in decision making processes in
their communities. It promotes changing public stereotypes and attitude towards
WWDs.
· Project presentation and press
conference with the participation of project beneficiaries, local authorities,
mass media and representatives from Gender Equality Committee in Shirak Region.
In the result of
project implementation
· The awareness of local
authorities in Gyumri and 5 regions of Shirak regions was raised on UN CRPD, RA National Gender
Equality Policy, and they are encouraged to involve women with disabilities in
decision making processes , as women
with disabilities understand and can represent their needs better.
· Women with disabilities living
in Shirak region have gained knowledge on local and international treaties and
policies reflecting their lives.
· 20 women with disabilities in
Shirak region have gained leadership and computer skills, their advocacy
capacities are developed and they are able to defend their rights.
· WWDs have become role models
in their communities, and they can reach out to other women with disabilities
in their communities, identify their problems and introduce them during
decision making processes.
· Participation in decision
making processes helps to improve living conditions and the status of women with
disabilities. They are able to influence
local authorities and civil society to include and address their needs.
· The needs and rights of women
with disabilities will be considered and included in community planning.
· Make a database of women with
disabilities in Shirak region.
· Agreement of cooperation is
signed between local authorities and “Agate” NGO so that the project
participant WWDs are allowed and welcomed to participate in the meetings of
local self-governing bodies.
· Interactive blog is created
with separate sections for each region, updating the first steps and achievements,
photos and videos with the participation of women with disabilities in decision
making processes.
· A film has been made and shown
on TV Channels for 3 times, which elucidates the project and success stories of
young women with disabilities beneficiaries in decision making processes in
their communities. It promotes changing public stereotypes and attitude towards
WWDs.
· Project presentation and press
conference with the participation of project beneficiaries, local authorities,
mass media and representatives from Gender Equality Committee in Shirak Region.
Manushak Nersisyan
02.03.1970
Manushak Nersisyan
02.03.1970
I was born in Goghovit village, in Shirak region. I studied at the local middle school. As I had physical problems and lived far from the city I was unable to continue my education and had to get self-education.
After being involved in this wonderful program of “Agate” NGO I was well-informed about my rights, found methods and actual ways of problem solutions, gained skills and knowledge in different spheres and fields. I was offered comfortable transportation for moving from my village to town and way back. Thanks to the program I went out of home, got attached to the regional centre.
“Agate” NGO organized cognitive excursions to the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial and to the Zoo in Yerevan for the children with disabilities and needy families. I was given a great chance to realize my knowledge and be a leader in my community, which secured my reputation in the village. Now I am eager to take initiatives and realize projects which will be aimed at the development of my community.
After being involved in this wonderful program of “Agate” NGO I was well-informed about my rights, found methods and actual ways of problem solutions, gained skills and knowledge in different spheres and fields. I was offered comfortable transportation for moving from my village to town and way back. Thanks to the program I went out of home, got attached to the regional centre.
“Agate” NGO organized cognitive excursions to the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial and to the Zoo in Yerevan for the children with disabilities and needy families. I was given a great chance to realize my knowledge and be a leader in my community, which secured my reputation in the village. Now I am eager to take initiatives and realize projects which will be aimed at the development of my community.