Armenian PM's Wife Anna Hakobyan Proposes Criminalizing Domestic Violence as a Separate Offense
Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Executive Director of the "My Step" Foundation, has launched a comprehensive campaign to combat domestic violence in Armenia. She is advocating for domestic violence to be criminalized as a distinct, standalone offense. This initiative will encompass both significant legislative reforms and widespread public awareness efforts.
According to the Armenpress state news agency, Anna Hakobyan has released the first comprehensive video dedicated to combating domestic violence as part of her "Learning is Trendy" movement. She emphasized that the traditional Armenian family model, which often conceals various forms of abuse, must be transformed into a safe family environment rooted in mutual respect and love.
Drafting New Victim-Centered Legislation
Hakobyan noted that Armenia urgently requires clear, effective, and victim-centered legal and enforcement mechanisms. To achieve this, she has initiated discussions involving independent experts from both Armenia and the global Armenian Diaspora, alongside government representatives and female lawmakers with experience in this sector. The initiative also plans to invite female Members of Parliament from the two opposition factions to join the collaborative effort.
Stages of the Reform Initiative
The proposed reform program will be executed in two primary phases:
- During the first phase, comprehensive legislation will be drafted and submitted to the National Assembly for debate.
- The second phase will commence following the law's adoption, featuring a large-scale public awareness campaign and specialized training for employees of relevant state agencies.
Nationwide Study on Domestic Abuse
In parallel with the legislative efforts, a specialized team of leading experts is preparing a nationwide study. This research aims to gather the most accurate and comprehensive data possible regarding the true prevalence of domestic violence against women across Armenia.
This article was generated automatically using AI based on reporting from established news sources. All sources are listed below.
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