On November 8-9, the 7th Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) was held in Stockholm. Within the framework of the Forum a seminar titled “The importance of gender equality” was held about the issues of equal rights of women and active participation in the political and social life for sustainable development with reference also to the Eastern Partnership region.
The panelists of seminar were the Ambassador of Armenia to Sweden Artak Apitonian, Ambassador for the Eastern Partnership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden Anna Westerholm, Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Esabelle Dingizian, Mayor of Ovanåker, member of the European Committee of the Regions Yoomi Renström.
In his speech, Ambassador Apitonian referred to the issues of active participation of women for sustainable development of societies, the current state of gender equality in the Eastern Partnership region, existing challenges and introduced the experience of Armenia. Ambassador emphasized the importance of implementing women rights projects and active involvement of international organizations dealing with such issues throughout Europe, including the conflict areas. Other panelists introduced the Swedish advanced experience in that field.
As a role model for the Eastern Partnership countries, the activities of the “Winnet Armenia” network of women resource centers was introduced.
Note: In 2016, Winnet Armenia received financial and organizational support within the international aid of the Swedish Government and in the second half of November 2016, a regional conference will be held in Yerevan with the aim of spreading the experience of the Winnet Armenia in the Eastern Partnership countries.