Aida Ghazaryan

2003 International Policy Fellow

 Final Activity Report

Reporting Period: August 2003-April 2004

The work on the project during the period August 2003-March 2004 proceeded by the following directions.  

I made some minor adjustments to the official site with updates and uploaded the deliverables (except for the draft Policy Paper) for this reporting period. Towards the finalization of the project the structure, format and style of the website will be enhanced to ensure accurate and legible layout.

The work with mentors continued according to the working schedule, plan of actions and implementation strategies. Work proceeded on a regular basis in the form of meetings, working discussions, consultations over the phone. Thorough collaboration was reached particularly during the conduct of the survey and Project events.

The project proceeded in accordance with the original timetable; however some amendments were made to the initially envisaged activities upon consultation with the mentors.

Originally the publications planned included White paper, Compilation of international human rights legislative/normative documents/case law on reproductive health/rights and Handbook “Reproductive Rights”, however based on the findings of the conducted research it was decided to modify the list for efficiency reasons: omit White paper but rather design a comprehensive Guide on reproductive rights and separately Booklet on reproductive rights for a wide distribution to stakeholders. In particular, the original compilation was substituted by a compilation of Armenian legislation applicable to reproductive health (see Publications Section).

Additionally, the originally designed self-administered survey was substituted with an illustrative survey via in-depth semi-structured interview questionnaires with two major groups: in-patient women (in postpartum care) and health care providers (physicians and midwives/nurses) in the Centre of Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, one of the biggest maternal hospitals of the country, which serves the population not only from Yerevan but also all regions of the country (see Research Paper, Chapter III).

With agreement of my mentors and as dictated by the project findings and activities, instead of Roundtable envisaged initially with key stakeholders and policy-makers it was determined more appropriate to hold a Workshop for Mass Media representatives (see Project Events Section). The need for mass media involvement is supported by the low level of awareness among the general public about issues involved in reproductive health/rights, including updated legislative and policy news/developments. This event also added to the value of the mass media advocacy component of my Project.

With regard to the work on the papers, the second stage of the project proceeded on a series of dimensions. One aspect was continuation of the research on reproductive health and rights in Armenia with additional information from new sources, update of the available data (including the reproductive health indicators) and incorporation of new developments on legislative, policy-making and civil activity areas based on meetings/working discussions with a variety of players in the field. This was importantly supplemented with conduct of the illustrative survey.

Work on the Policy paper proceeded following the finalization of the Research Paper and is still under process. Since some of the key policy recommendations need to be discussed with the major players in the area and also discussed during the Working Group meetings with the group mentor at Budapest Seminar at this stage the draft Policy paper is not uploaded on the website.

Survey Follow-up Seminar for CPOG Health Care Providers (Yerevan, December 11-12, 2003)

The audience was represented by 30 health care providers (physicians and nurses/midwives) of the CPOG, most of who were the respondents of the illustrative survey conducted within the framework of the Project. The seminar contents and structure were designed taking into consideration the survey results and research findings.

On the first day all major themes of the survey were covered as well as gaps existing today on reproductive rights agenda in Armenia. The second day of the seminar was designed to provide major aspects of human rights application to the reproductive health. The materials were developed on the basis of WHO Manual “Transforming Health Systems: Gender and Rights in Reproductive Health” (2001) mostly on gender, human rights and policy modules. These sessions were exceptionally well perceived by all participants. The seminar was problem posing and participatory with special session calling participants’ input, brainstorming, generation of policy issues and options. Research findings were also disseminated to the participants through handouts.

 Mass Media Workshop (Yerevan, February 24, 2004)     

The workshop participants were 20 representatives from the leading Armenian mass media: TV channels, radio, newspapers and magazines (including electronic mass media). 

To build on the mass media-based interventions as an effective means of reaching larger numbers of population and message targeting, the workshop for mass media representatives aimed to encourage media to incorporate reproductive health topics into their work, and adequately elucidate them. Since this workshop was the last event of the Project one session was devoted to the presentation of the Project, the key findings of the research and served as a good occasion for dissemination of the Project results.

The workshop outlined the following: the key concepts, complex issues and tangled debates on reproductive rights, ideas for getting varied and positive angles on reproductive rights, how to build trust with interviewees on sensitive topics, human rights language and terminology, ideas for tracking down new expertise and unheard voices, constructing healthy and rights-oriented headlines.  Throughout the Workshop the focus was put on the intrinsic connection between reproductive health and human rights. Importantly, it presented some of the steps journalists can take and resources and arguments they can use to ensure that rights issues in reproductive health are reported accurately and fairly. Lastly, they were also provided with contact information of useful organizations in Armenia, publications and resources.

According to the expressed comments and opinions, this event was very interesting and represented a rather unexplored area.  The journalists participating in the Workshop opined that organization of such events and elucidation of forums/conferences/seminars on these issues among the appropriate decision-makers and stakeholders would be very desirable.

In addition to a variety of on-line, printed, select published and unpublished literature and sources of information used from start of the Project, I have also obtained a series of very useful books by prominent authors and organizations, including the resources on social science research on reproductive health (for full list of used resources see Bibliography, Research Paper).

Additionally, I obtained framework documents adopted on the Governmental level related directly or indirectly to the reproductive health policies, official health and development reports and publications by local and international governmental agencies with policy strategies arising from commitments to international agreements and forums (e.g. UN Millennium Goals Declaration, European Geneva Forum).

I continued legal research using IRTEK database containing entire Armenian legislation. The legal research proceeded in two-prong direction.

First, all the legal sources/provisions used in the Interim Research Paper were checked for updates or any modifications. Among the major relevant developments are: the adoption of the new Criminal Code, the Law on the Human Rights Protector (Ombudsman), Decree on Strategy on Maternal and Infant Health Protection for 2005-2013 adopted by the Ministry of Health and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).

Secondly, I also thoroughly reviewed the family, education, medical aid and services, reproductive health, civil and criminal laws for the relevant provisions to include into the Compilation of Armenian legal authority relevant to the reproductive health and rights, a separate section in the publication “A Guide on Reproductive Rights” (see Project Publications Section).

&  A Guide on Reproductive Rights” (to be published in Armenian and English, expected April 2004)

The need for development of this Guide stemmed from the major findings of the conducted research: such as the lack of research and studies on reproductive rights, almost non-existent awareness of the concept of reproductive rights as among reproductive health care professionals, supporting personnel and general public as well as low level of knowledge of existing Armenian legislative framework and core international human rights instruments applicable to reproductive health.

The Guide is to serve as a useful manual to advance the awareness of reproductive rights in Armenia among researchers, policy-makers, reproductive health care professionals, lawyers and human rights activists, the general public as well as experts working for international and local non-profit organizations with responsibilities in reproductive health and rights. Chapter I of the Guide provides overview of the basic concepts and core elements of reproductive rights, their sources and articulations in international human rights law and major developments of reproductive rights on international agenda. Chapter II provides a compilation of provisions from the Armenian laws applicable to reproductive health extending beyond matters immediately affecting procreation and service delivery, to include civil, family, education and criminal laws regulating the women’s status in the family, educational and social spheres, relevant medical procedures, marriage, abortion and violence against women. Additionally, the Strategy on Maternal and Infant Health Protection for 2005-2013 adopted by the Ministry of Health and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted by UN General Assembly are included. Chapter III suggests a wide list of landmark printed and on-line resources to facilitate further research on reproductive rights and lastly, provides a directory of international and regional organizations, which work directly or indirectly in the area of reproductive health and rights. Chapter IV presents updated contact information of international and local organizations working in Armenia in the field of reproductive health and rights by area of activities and most involvement.

Although the Guide cannot be considered to embrace all in the area of women’s reproductive rights, it is expected that it will serve to all interested circles as a reference book capable of providing maximum relevant information in an objective and precise manner.

&  Booklet on Reproductive Rights (published in Armenian, March 2004)

Considering the low level of awareness on reproductive rights in Armenia among many strata of professionals and lay people, it is hoped that Booklet will serve as a catalyst for expanding information on reproductive rights in the Armenian society. The contents, format and layout allowed putting forward the general “must know” information on reproductive rights and essential two Articles from the Law on Reproductive Health and Rights of Armenia adopted in December 2002.

ÿ   “Reproductive Rights: Time for Evolving Capacities for their Exercise in Armenia”, Knowledge Center, on Armenia Development Gateway, a support center for e-development initiatives. The article gives a broad picture of reproductive rights and mostly highlights the preliminary findings of my research.

I continued communicating with most active institutions, agencies, local and international organizations and individuals among the already established network as well as made some new connections. In particular, in the course of preparation of the “Guide on Reproductive Rights” I have cooperated with a number of international and local organizations and individuals, including but not limited to UNFPA, ABA/CEELI, NGO Center, INTRAH PRIME II and others, who kindly provided updated contact information for the Directory of organizations actively involved in reproductive health in Armenia.  

 % Participated in the  Anti-Trafficking Workshop, May 13-14, 2004, organized by the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Armenia, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office of Citizen Exchange, the Center for  War, Peace & the News Media, and IOM International Organization for Migration in Armenia. Discussion covered international and national legal framework on trafficking, protection of trafficking victims, ways of their identification, cooperation & partnerships in joint fight against trafficking,  as well as public awareness campaigns, public outreach and mass media role in the trafficking control.

% Participated in the International Women’s Month Forum, March 19, 2004, organized by the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Armenia. Discussion topics included women's role in the fields of Foreign Affairs, Politics, Business, Media and Law.  Guest speakers included a number of prominent women in Armenia to share their own experiences dealing with these issues and their influence in the development of Armenia.

% Attended Seminar on “Anticorruption Mechanisms in the Council of Europe” organized in collaboration of Council of Europe and Advisory Office to the President of the Republic of Armenia, January 19-20, 2004.

%   Participated in the Seminar on the Revised European Social Charter: Final Steps Towards Ratification, October 23-24, 2003, organized within Joint Programme Council of Europe/ European Commission, with participation of the representatives from the Secretariat of the European Social Charter, Directorate General II (Human Rights), European Committee of Social Rights, Governmental Committee of the European Social Charter, Minister of Social Security of Armenia and leading specialists from that Ministry.

%  Attended the 6^th Congress for Bridging Eastern and Western Psychiatry “Trauma and Recovery”, October 9-12, 2003, organized by “Psychiatria E Territorio” Italy and Association of Child Psychiatrists & Psychologists, Armenia.

%  One of organizers of two Roundtables “Education and Health of People with Intellectual Disabilities”, October 29, 2003 and “Social Integration and Human Rights”, December 8, 2003 within the project “Manifesto: Right to Decide” by the Coalition of 6 NGOs. Issues of early prevention and diagnosis of children with mental retardation, safe motherhood and postnatal care were also discussed.  

Envisaged activities

6 Upon finalization of two publications and project deliverable papers the information package will be combined and distributed to all key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and Science, local and international organizations working in the field of reproductive health, women’s rights and HIV/AIDS, research centers, maternal hospitals, women’s consultancies and family planning cabinets in Yerevan. Additionally, I intend to use my own personal network to distribute additional copies in as many Marzes as possible.

6  Throughout the end of the fellowship period, efforts were also concentrated towards clarification of submission guidelines to publish a series of articles in some of the below Diaspora Armenian-American press and professional journals and periodicals. I intend to continue the initiative even after the factual closure of the Project. I have already kept correspondence with the relevant publishers and editors-in-chief:

1.      Armenian Weekly published weekly by the Hairenik Association, Watertown MA on topics of society, history, politics, media, etc. They are highly interested in publishing on reproductive rights and health issues in Armenia. Contacted:  Jason Sohigian, Editor.

2.      The Armenian Reporter International, New York's independent English language news weekly, considered the leading Armenian newspaper in the United States. Its Op-Ed section carries articles and in-depth analysis on burning issues affecting the Armenian people. As the weekly is very highly regarded throughout the world and is recognized as an opinion formulating vehicle, publishing on the research findings/deliverables and developments would add value in bringing the reproductive rights urgent issues upfront. Contacted: Sylva Boghossian, Publisher, Aris G. Sevag, Managing Editor.

3.      Journal of Armenian Studies, a twice-yearly publication consisting of scholarly and popular articles on Armenia, by National Association for Armenian Studies and Research,
Belmont, MA. Though it has little prior experience with medical/scientific articles, if my submitted article can be seen to be connected to one or more of the history, politics, culture, it can be considered. Along with their mission to foster Armenian studies, research and publication on a permanent, scholarly, and objective basis, this could also provide an impetus for research in the area of human rights in Armenia. Contacted: Marc Mamigonian, Editor.

4.      Armenian Forum, embraces disciplines outside the traditional boundaries of Armenian studies and gives a place to report findings of researches as well. This is a very good resource for scholars, journalists, policy makers and the public at large. Contacted: several persons from the Editorial Board.

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