The Model of the Armenian Family Needs to Change: Anna Hakobyan on Domestic Violence

Anna Hakobyan has released the first complete video in a series dedicated to fighting domestic violence, outlining her approach to solving the issue and upcoming steps.

As part of the "Education is Fashion" movement, the wife of Armenia's Prime Minister and Executive Director of the My Step Foundation, Anna Hakobyan, has unveiled the initial full video in a series focusing on the struggle against domestic violence. This initiative aims to present her views on addressing the problem and the actions to be taken moving forward. This information was shared by the My Step Foundation.

In the video message, Anna Hakobyan emphasizes that the model of the Armenian family that conceals various forms of violence must be replaced with a model based on a harmonious and safe family characterized by mutual love and respect, free from violence. She believes that the first necessary step in this direction is to criminalize domestic violence as an independent offense.

According to her, the Republic of Armenia must have clear, realistic, effective, and victim-centered legislative and law enforcement mechanisms. To this end, Anna Hakobyan has already initiated discussions with independent experts from Armenia and the diaspora, as well as officials from the relevant sector, and women parliamentarians who have previously worked on this issue, to thoroughly examine the gaps in existing legislation, law enforcement problems, and current challenges.

The first phase of the initiative plans to develop comprehensive and effective legislative regulations, which will then be presented for discussion in the National Assembly. Anna Hakobyan also intends to invite women parliamentarians from the two opposition factions to join these efforts.

The second phase is planned to take place after the law is adopted and comes into effect. This will include a broad public awareness campaign, retraining of staff from relevant bodies, and the effective implementation of the adopted regulations.

Simultaneously, a group of esteemed experts is preparing a nationwide study to gather reliable and as comprehensive data as possible regarding the actual prevalence of domestic violence against women in Armenia.