Prime minister: Women can make the change in Armenia

Armenia, with its current population dominated largely by females, needs economically active women in businesses to make the sector develop, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said today, greeting the participants of the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs’ (FCEM) forum.

In his speech at the event, co-organized by the Armenian Young Women’s Association and Women Entrepreneurs Network in Armenia, the prime minister said his government appreciates women’s active engagement in business activity, treating it as a cornerstone of its economic revolution concept. “I say it especially at this forum to underline how difficult it would be to envision the succeeded economic revolution - proclaimed by our government – without the active entrepreneurship of women,” he said, highlighting women’s increasingly active participatory role over the past year (since the “Velvet Revolution”).  

“Let me also say that last year’s non-violent velvet revolution in Armenia would not have turned into a reality without such an active participation by women. For me, it was the first sign; the vast number of women’s presence in last year’s revolutionary developments and mass events came to me as the first and unequivocal proof that a real revolution had started in Armenia. Women’s role in this revolution did really mark a turning point.

“And today, I am willing to express hope – and my firm belief – that women’s role in the economic revolution is going to be likewise decisive and important. Many spheres in the Republic of Armenia – ranging from public administration to higher-level services through business management – need women’s care,” he said, stressing the importance of women’s empowerment as a government priority.

The prime minister made his call upon the women in Armenia to be active role-players also in the economic revolution, highlighting women’s higher responsibility compared to the male population. “I do believe that women, statistically, are less inclined to corruption and involvement in corruption schemes – as opposed to men in general. That’s my conviction. I am also confident that women’s engagement in politics and economy is going to be increasingly more evident in the Republic of Armenia soon.

''But I want to speak about enterprising and entrepreneurship today. I am confident that the opportunities, which we are creating today to overcome poverty, are being created for doing business, developing small- and medium-sized entreprises, and microbusinesses. I am hopeful that women will be proactive also in the economic revolution to push for landmark changes. That's an extremely serious task,” he added.

The prime minister urged the women participants of the forum to summon up the strength to push forward with vigorous business initiatives.

''I call upon the women in the Republic of Armenia not to be afraid of creating and inventing the bicycle.

“Do have the courage and make the step, and you will win for sure. Your victory will pave way also to the victory of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian people and humanity in general,'' Pashinyan added.