Source:

For information on trafficking in women please see chapter "Trafficking in persons" ("Trafficking in persons") [ID 17267]

Document(s): Trafficking in persons

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

During the year authorities registered 7 cases of rape and attempted rape; however, societal stigma contributed to the underreporting of those crimes ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23446]

"Rape, including spousal rape, is a criminal offense and carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment. During the year authorities registered seven cases of rape and attempted rape; however, societal stigma contributed to the underreporting of those crimes. Authorities launched criminal proceedings in all these cases, and by year's end convicted four individuals involved in cases of rape and attempted rape; other cases were in progress at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

No law against domestic violence, although such violence was believed to be widespread ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23447]

"There is no law against domestic violence. Few cases of spousal abuse or other violence against women were reported during the year, although such violence was believed to be widespread. A survey conducted in May commissioned by the Women's Rights Center NGO showed that 66 percent of the respondents acknowledged that family members subjected them to psychological abuse, and 39 percent considered themselves victims of either moderate or severe physical abuse. Most cases of domestic violence were not reported to police because victims were afraid of physical harm, were apprehensive that police would return them to their husbands, or were embarrassed to make family problems public. Two NGOs in Yerevan and Gyumri provided shelter and assistance, including psychological and legal counseling, to battered women."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Gender discrimination a continuing problem in the public and private sectors ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23448]

"Men and women enjoy equal legal status, although gender discrimination existed and was a continuing problem in the public and private sectors. According to a survey conducted in Yerevan in 2005, women earned on average 40 percent of what men earned. Women generally were not afforded the same professional opportunities as men, and often were relegated to more menial or low skilled jobs."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Sexual harassment appeared to be widespread ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23449]

"Prostitution and sex tourism are not illegal, but operating brothels is prohibited. Operating a brothel and engaging in other forms of pimping are punishable by one to 10 years' imprisonment. According to media reports, there were fewer than 5,000 sex workers operating in the country, with approximately 1,500 working in Yerevan. Police and other security forces reportedly tolerated prostitution.
The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment, although it addresses lewd acts and indecent behavior. Society generally did not consider cases of sexual harassment important enough to justify legal action. Although there were no official statistics, sexual harassment appeared to be widespread, according to observers."

Document(s): Open document

06.2007 - Source: Freedom House

Domestic violence and trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of prostitution are believed to be serious problems ("Freedom in the World 2007") [ID 20478]

"Domestic violence and trafficking in women and girls for the purpose of prostitution are believed to be serious problems. Representation of women in the current Parliament is low: at year’s end, only 7 out of 131 seats in the National Assembly were held by women. According to the election code, women shall now comprise 15 percent of a party’s list for the proportional election and hold every tenth position on party lists, marking an improvement from the 2003 parliamentary elections."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

No law against domestic violence, although such violence was believed to be widespread ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20333]

"There is no law against domestic violence. Few cases of spousal abuse or other violence against women were reported during the year, although such violence was believed to be widespread. While there was no recent information on the extent of the problem, in a 2001 survey, 45 percent of the (female) respondents acknowledged that family members subjected them to psychological abuse, and 25 percent considered themselves victims of physical abuse. Most cases of domestic violence were not reported to police because victims were afraid of physical harm, were apprehensive that police would return them to their husbands, or were embarrassed to make family problems public. Several NGOs in the Yerevan and Gyumri areas provided shelter and assistance, including psychological and legal counseling, to battered women."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Authorities registered 31 cases of rape and attempted rape; societal stigma contributed to the underreporting of those crimes ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20335]

"Rape, including spousal rape, is a criminal offense and carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment. In the first nine months of the year, authorities registered 31 cases of rape and attempted rape; however, societal stigma contributed to the underreporting of those crimes. Authorities prosecuted and convicted 14 individuals involved in seven cases of rape, and five individuals involved in three cases of attempted rape during the year. In 2005 authorities prosecuted 21 individuals charged with these offenses."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Sexual harassment appeared to be widespread ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20336]

"The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment, although it addresses lewd acts and indecent behavior. Society generally did not consider cases of sexual harassment important enough to justify legal action. Although there were no official statistics, sexual harassment appeared to be widespread."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Gender discrimination a continuing problem in the public and private sectors ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20337]

"Men and women enjoy equal legal status, although gender discrimination existed and was a continuing problem in the public and private sectors. According to a survey conducted 2005 in Yerevan, women earned on average 40 percent of what men earned. Women generally were not afforded the same professional opportunities as men and often were relegated to more menial or low‑skill jobs."

Document(s): Open document

07.2006 - Source: Freedom House

Constitution guarantees gender equality; nevertheless Armenia is a conservative, male-dominated society ("Countries at the Crossroads 2006") [ID 18748]

"The Armenian constitution guarantees gender equality, and there are no laws discriminating against women. Nevertheless, Armenia is a conservative, male-dominated society in which few women hold senior government posts. Local women's organizations say domestic violence is not uncommon, but they have yet to determine the precise scale of the problem. Trafficking of Armenian women abroad is seen as a more serious problem. In 2003, the U.S. State Department upgraded Armenia from its so-called Tier 3 group to its Tier 2 group of states, which the United States believes are making "significant efforts" to tackle illegal cross-border transport of human beings. However, the department's latest annual report on the issue, released in June 2005, put Armenia on a Tier 2 watch list because of its "failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking over the past year."12  Washington's warning to Yerevan followed an independent journalistic investigation that implicated senior Armenian law enforcement officials in prostitution rings operating in the United Arab Emirates."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Situation of women regarding domestic violence, prostitution and discrimination ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46111],  [ID 17229]

"There is no law against domestic violence. Few cases of spousal abuse or other violence against women were reported during the year, although such violence was believed to be widespread. While there is no recent information on the extent of the problem, a 2001 survey found that 45 percent of the (female) respondents acknowledged that they were subjected to psychological abuse, and 25 percent considered themselves victims of physical abuse. Most cases of domestic violence were not reported to police because victims were either afraid of physical harm, fearing police would return them to their husbands or were embarrassed to make family problems public. Several NGOs in the Yerevan and Gyumri areas and in Martuni provided shelter and assistance to battered women; however, it was rare for battered women to have psychological or legal counseling.

Rape, including spousal rape, is illegal and carries a maximum 15 years' imprisonment. By year's end authorities registered approximately 50 cases of rape and attempted rape. According to the prosecutor general's office, authorities identified and prosecuted 21 suspects in rape cases.

Prostitution and sex tourism are not illegal, but operating brothels is prohibited. Operating a brothel and other forms of pimping are punishable by one to ten years' imprisonment. According to the NGO Hope and Help, there were between 5 and 6 thousand prostitutes, approximately 1,500 of them in the capital. Police and other security forces participated in or tolerated prostitution.
[...]
The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment, although it addresses lewd acts and indecent behavior. Societal norms did not consider cases of sexual harassment worthy of legal action. Although there were no official statistics, sexual harassment appeared to be widespread.

Men and women enjoy equal legal status, although gender discrimination existed and was a continuing problem in the public and private sector. According to a survey conducted during the year in Yerevan, on average, women earned 40 percent of what men earned. Women generally were not afforded the same professional opportunities as men and often were relegated to more menial or low-skill jobs."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

6 women are in the 131-seat parliament, but none in the cabinet ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29491],  [ID 3179]

"There were 6 women in the 131-seat Parliament but no women in the cabinet."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Situation of women ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29491],  [ID 3180]

"There is no law banning domestic violence against women, and few cases of spousal abuse or other violence against women were reported during the year; however, such violence was believed to be widespread.

While there is no recent information on the extent of the problem, a 2001 survey conducted found that 45 percent of respondents acknowledged that they were subjected to psychological abuse, and 25 percent considered themselves victims of physical abuse.

Most cases of domestic violence were not reported to police because victims were either afraid of physical harm and feared that police would return them to their husbands or were embarrassed to make family problems public. Several NGOs in the Yerevan and Gyumri areas and in Martuni provided shelter and assistance to battered women; however, it was rare for battered women to have psychological or legal counseling.

Rape and spousal rape are illegal and carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence. By year's end, authorities registered 52 cases of rape and attempted rape and no deaths in connection with rape. According to the Prosecutor General's office, authorities identified and prosecuted 51 suspects in rape cases.

Trafficking in women for sexual exploitation was a problem (see Section 5, Trafficking). Prostitution and sex tourism is not illegal, but operating brothels is prohibited. Operating a brothel or other forms of pimping is punishable by 1 to 10 years' imprisonment.

According to the NGO Hope and Help, there were between 5,000 and 6,000 prostitutes in the country, and approximately 1,500 of them were registered in the capital.

The law does not specifically prohibit sexual harassment, although articles in the criminal code address different aspects of sexual harassment such as lewd acts or indecent behavior. Many of these offenses are not clearly defined, but punishments range from fines to imprisonment. Some offenses are actionable under civil law. However, societal norms did not consider cases of sexual harassment worthy of legal action.

The law provides men and women with equal status; however, gender discrimination existed and was a continuing problem in the public and private sector.

For example, although the law states that women should receive equal pay for equal work, a recent survey in Yerevan reported that, overall, women earned 40 percent of what men earn.

Women generally were not afforded the same professional opportunities as men and often were relegated to more menial or low-skill jobs. The law prohibits discrimination in employment and hiring because of pregnancy; however, the extremely high unemployment rate made it difficult to gauge how effectively the law was implemented. More women than men were enrolled in university and postgraduate programs, but all doctoral candidates were men.

[matches relevant USDOS-report for 2003]"

Document(s): Open document

15.01.2004 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Thousands of Armenian women sexually exploited in Turkey or the United Arab Emirates, perpetrators are going unpunished ("Armenian: Trafficking Scourge Unchecked") [#18798],  [ID 3181]

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Economic and social situation of women ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3182]

"Men often played a dominant role in many societal institutions, although among younger persons it was more common for women to take an active role. Although women have been present in the work force for several generations, tolerance for broadening their roles or behavior was low, particularly among older people and in the rural regions. In the workplace, women received equal pay for equal work, but generally were not afforded the same professional opportunities given to men, and often were relegated to more menial or low-skill jobs. The law prohibits discrimination in employment and hiring because of pregnancy; however, the extremely high unemployment rate made it difficult to gauge how effectively the law was implemented. According to official statistics, women made up 66.4 percent of those officially registered as unemployed (approximately 90,000) and comprised two-thirds of the total number of unemployed. In the past, labor unions protected women's rights in the workplace, at least nominally, but the weakness of unions has made them less effective (see Section 6.a.). More women than men were enrolled in university and postgraduate programs. This may in part be accounted for by the Nagorno-Karabakh situation, which necessitated a high number of men being in military service, and in part by the economic situation, which had caused men to emigrate in search of employment."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Prostitution is not illegal ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3183]

"Prostitution is not illegal, and according to anecdotal evidence, most prostitutes stopped by police simply are sent to a hospital or physician for a medical check-up. Although the Criminal Code does not forbid prostitution itself, operating brothels is prohibited. According to an investigation conducted by journalists more than 1,500 prostitutes were registered by the police, most of them in the Yerevan area. A study of Yerevan prostitution conducted by local journalists in 2000 showed that while some operated by telephone, the vast majority of prostitutes were what is known as streetwalkers, with their "class" and desirability defined by the area of the city in which they operated."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Violence against women widespread ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3184]

"There is no specific law banning violence against women and a few cases of spousal abuse, or other violence against women were reported during the year; however, such violence is believed to be more widespread than statistics indicate. According to an opinion poll conducted in 2000 by a local NGO, 50 percent of Armenian women have been victims of domestic violence, although other local NGOs claimed that the percentage is lower. The problem of battered wives is much more widespread than the Government or local human rights groups would admit. Many cases were not reported to police because victims were afraid of physical harm if they did so, fearful that police would refuse to take action and instead return them to their husbands, or embarrassed to make "family matters" public. Embarrassment and concerns for family honor made the problem particularly sensitive and difficult to quantify; women's groups and health professionals also declined to offer specific figures. The Procurator General's office stated that 17 women were killed in 2001; however, the office did not specify how the crimes were committed. Fifty-five women were victims of rape or killings. Several NGOs exist in the Yerevan and Gyumri areas, and in Martuni, and provide shelter and assistance to battered women.
By the end of October, the authorities registered 28 cases of rape. However, observers believe the actual number of rapes to be higher. The law cites specific punishments for rape. By June 2001, 12 persons had been convicted for rape. Twenty-seven women were killed, and three were arrested and charged with homicide."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Trafficking in women and girls abroad for prostitution was an increasingly significant problem ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11840],  [ID 3185]

"Young women and girls from socially vulnerable groups all over Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh were the primary targets of traffickers. Trafficked persons often were lured by jobs abroad offered through recruiters and informal channels, tourism firms and some media. Reportedly, there were cases in which older girls from orphanages and poor families were sold to wealthy men in Dubai. An orphanage run by a religious group reported that older girls have been approached by relatives urging them to "earn their share" for the family by engaging in prostitution. However, most parents and relatives were convinced that they were sending such children to work in the UAE or elsewhere as models, dancers, waitresses, or domestic servants. Traffickers themselves were often ex-prostitutes or pimps who have already established "good working contacts" in the country of destination. They were well organized, have connections with local authorities and were supported and protected by criminal gangs. Most potential victims were approached by persons whom they personally know (friends of friends, relatives of relatives, neighbors, etc.), or by travel agencies. Most often, recruiters told victims that they would be working as babysitters, waitresses, or cleaning ladies. Only a few of the victims knew before departure that they would work as prostitutes, but even these did not realize that they would have their documents and money confiscated and that they would be pressured to receive numerous clients every day to maximize their employer's profits. To tighten control over their "staff" procurers threatened to burn victims' passports or to informed police about their "business."
There is no specific law prohibiting trafficking in persons, although traffickers may be prosecuted under different articles of the Criminal Code: For example, illicit seizure of non-property documents (passports or other personal documents), as well as illicit use of these documents, may be punished by imprisonment up to a year; falsification and selling of documents, by imprisonment up to five years; pandering, by imprisonment up to five years; bogus marriage and bogus divorce with mercenary ends or other reasons, by imprisonment up to a year; extortion (coercion of a person, or coercion by publishing compromising information about a person), by imprisonment from two to four years; and coercing of a woman to perform sexual intercourse by a person on whom this women is financially (or economically) dependent by imprisonment up to seven years. By year's end, legislation pending before Parliament would ratify the U.N. Protocols on International Crime and Trafficking in Persons and would provide for prosecution of those engaging in such practices for profit. The criminal code specifically prohibits keeping brothels, although prostitution itself is legal.
There were also some women's NGOs that raised public awareness of this problem and obtain funding for assistance programs. However, as of midyear there were no NGO-sponsored assistance programs to provide counseling and assistance for victims. The Government's Office of Refugees and Migration operated a hotline and produced a journal giving information on traveling abroad, and a gender-working group chaired by the Minister of Social Welfare participated in discussing methods of prevention. There were also public service announcements aired on national television.
[...]
The law does not prohibit trafficking in persons specifically, although it does prohibit exploitation by force of persons for financial gain; trafficking in women and girls abroad for prostitution was an increasingly significant problem. There were reports that corruption by Government officials facilitated trafficking."

Document(s): Open document

28.11.2002 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

In contrast to male homosexuality female homosexuality is not a criminal act ("8th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Vienna, 28 - 29 June 2002: Final Report - Armenia - co-funded by the EU Odysseus Programme") [#9877],  [ID 3186]

"The Armenian Sociological Association has recently finished a survey on religious, ethnic
and sexual minorities.23 The researcher who was responsible for sexual minorities stated
that in contrast to male homosexuality female homosexuality is not a criminal act.
Rather, while not being openly accepted, lesbian women are more tolerated and not
targeted. Due to the fact that Armenian society is a male-orientated society, male
homosexuality is very much suppressed, not talked about, and even feared, whereas
female homosexuality is more or less ignored."

Document(s): Arm-cois2002-rep.pdf

28.11.2002 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

In the social, political or professional reality women are treated unfairly or are discriminated against ("8th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Vienna, 28 - 29 June 2002: Final Report - Armenia - co-funded by the EU Odysseus Programme") [#9877],  [ID 3187]

"The law does not discriminate against women. However, in the social, political or
professional reality they are treated unfairly or are discriminated against. The roots are
to be found in the Soviet value system as well as in Armenian traditions. Among the 131
members of parliament only three are women, only five women are deputies of ministers
and there are only 35 female judges in Armenia."

Document(s): Arm-cois2002-rep.pdf

10.2002 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

70 percent of the Armenian population are women ("Analysen und Hintergründe ") [#10328],  [ID 3188]

"Bedingt durch den Krieg in Berg-Karabach und die hohe Auswanderung männlicher Arbeitskräfte
liegt der Anteil von Frauen mit 70 Prozent weit über dem natürlichen Durchschnitt.
Die neue wirtschaftliche Abhängigkeit der Frauen von ihren Ehemännern hat zu einem
Rückgang der Scheidungsquote geführt, obwohl viele Ehen durch die lange Abwesenheit
der Ehemänner objektiv zerrüttet sind; viel Arbeitsemigranten sind im Ausland neue Beziehungen
oder - teilweise in Bigamie - Ehen eingegangen und wollen oder können ihre bisherigen
Partnerinnen in Armenien und die Kinder aus dortigen Beziehungen nicht mehr materiell
unterstützen.
Die Gesamtzahl der alleinerziehenden Mütter wurde für 1995-1997 mit 19.283 angegeben,
von denen wiederum die meisten in Städten lebten, 40 Prozent allein in der Hauptstadt Jerewan.
86 Prozent der Alleinerziehenden haben ein Kind zu versorgen. Ihre Lage hat sich
infolge der Wirtschafts- und Sozialkrise erschwert: Wegen fehlender Finanzierung mussten
zahlreiche Kinderbetreuungsstätten schliessen. Ferner wurden seit 1993 die Löhne gesenkt,
eine Reihe sozialer Sicherheiten und Leistungen für Frauen sowie das Kindergeld für Kinder
über sechs Jahren gestrichen. Dagegen erwähnt die Regierung Armeniens in ihrem Bericht
an das Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women der Vereinten Nationen,
dass seit Oktober 1993 gewisse Verbesserungen für Personen mit niedrigem Einkommen
sowie für einkommensschwache Familien vorgenommen wurden. So seien bis 1997 in
Armenien 65 Sozialstationen eingerichtet worden, die humanitäre Hilfe, Familienhilfe und
Altenpflege (für alleinstehende Senioren) leisten.
Ungeachtet ihres hohen Anteils an der Bevölkerung und auch ungeachtet des in vielen Berufszweigen
höheren Bildungsstandards, den die Frauen Armeniens zur Sowjetzeit erlangten,
bilden sie neben den ethnischen Minderheiten die Verlierer bei den Transformationsprozessen.
Die UN-Sonderkommission CEDAW gibt folgende Bemerkungen eines armenischen
Regierungsvertreters wieder: "Er wies darauf hin, dass die neue Verfassung (von
1995) den Grundsatz der Gleichheit der Menschenrechte für Frauen und Männer enthält.
Rechtlich würden Frauen vollständige Garantien gegen Diskriminierung geniessen, aber die
schwierige sozio-ökonomische Lage des Landes erlaube nicht ihre vollständige Anwendung.
Diese Lage, die zu einem drastischen Rückgang des Lebensstandards, zum Anstieg der
Arbeitslosenrate und zu Verelendung geführt habe, betreffe Frauen stärker als Männer."28"

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

The vast majority of the unemployed and marginalized people are women ("Analysen und Hintergründe ") [#10328],  [ID 3189]

"Frauen stellen die absolute Mehrheit der arbeitslosen und der marginalisierten Bevölkerung.
Das Zentrale Arbeitsamt Armeniens schätzte im Mai 1994 die Zahl arbeitsloser Frauen auf
69.615; davon hatten wiederum 3.399 Frauen Kinder im Alter unter zwei Jahren. Nach offiziellen
Angaben lag 1995 der Frauenanteil unter den Arbeitslosen Armeniens bei mehr als
zwei Dritteln (109.232 von insgesamt 152.636 Arbeitslosen), 1996 bereits bei 74 Prozent29.
Von den am 1. August 1999 offiziell arbeitslos gemeldeten 197.756 Personen waren
111.749 Frauen30. Bei den Städterinnen liegt die Arbeitslosigkeit mit 63 Prozent höher als
bei der weiblichen Landbevölkerung, wo sie "nur" 52,4 Prozent beträgt. In Gjumri, Armeniens zweitgrösster Stadt, beträgt der Frauenanteil unter den Arbeitslosen sogar 80 Prozent.
Die erwerbstätigen Frauen hingegen sind in Niedriglohnberufen bzw. in Positionen ohne
Weisungsbefugnis überrepräsentiert. Dazu gehören seit der Sowjetzeit das Grund- und
Hauptschulwesen sowie die Gesundheitszentren. 70 Prozent der Ärzte Armeniens sind
Frauen31. Nach Angaben des Entwicklungsberichts der Vereinten Nationen von 1996 (UNDReport)
sind Frauenlöhne in Armenien durchschnittlich zwei Drittel niedriger als Männerlöhne.
Die Frauenverbände Armeniens beklagen, dass Frauen durchschnittlich nur 75 Prozent
des Einkommens von Männern erreichen."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Domestic violence and sexual harassment is not punishable under Armenian law ("Analysen und Hintergründe ") [#10328],  [ID 3190]

"Das Strafgesetzbuch Armeniens enthält nicht die Straftatbestände der ehelichen oder häuslichen
Gewalt gegen Frauen oder sexuellen Belästigung. Einer im Jahr 2000 von einer nichtstaatlichen Organisation Armeniens durchgeführten Umfrage zufolge ist die Hälfte der
Frauen häuslicher Gewalt zum Opfer gefallen. Die Dunkelziffer ist sehr hoch, da das Ehe-
und Familienleben gesellschaftliche Tabus bilden. Nach Angaben der Generalstaatsanwaltschaft
wurden im Jahr 2001 17 Frauen getötet und 404 weitere Opfer von Gewalt; im ersten
Halbjahr 2001 soll nach behördlichen Angaben 24 Vergewaltigungsfälle registriert worden
seien. Im selben Zeitraum wurden 12 Personen für Vergewaltigung verurteilt.
Bedingt hauptsächlich durch die Verarmung hat die Prostitution von Frauen und sogar Minderjährigen
im Vergleich zur Sowjetzeit stark zugenommen, beschränkt sich aber weitgehend
auf die Hauptstadt Jerewan. Während Prostitution nach Art. 179,1 nur mit einem
Bussgeld bestraft wird, stehen der Betrieb von Bordellen sowie Zuhälterei (Art. 226 StGB)
unter Strafe; Zuhälterei kann mit einer Haftstrafe von bis zu fünf Jahren bestraft werden.
Das Strafgesetz stellt nicht den Handel mit Menschen unter Strafe. Armenien hat aber acht
bi- oder multilaterale Abkommen zur Bekämpfung von Menschenhandel unterzeichnet. Im
Unterschied zu seinen Nachbarn Georgien und Aserbeidschan hat es jedoch noch keine
Konventionen und Protokolle über das transnationale organisierte Verbrechen sowie den
Menschenhandel oder den Schmuggel von Migranten unterzeichnet.
Auch diese Probleme sind weiter verbreitet, als die Regierung zugibt. Fachleute internationaler
Organisationen schätzen, dass jährlich etwa 700 Frauen aus Armenien ins Ausland
geschmuggelt werden; es handelt sich überwiegend um junge Frauen und Mädchen aus
sozial schwachen Schichten in Armenien und Berg-Karabach, die unter Vortäuschung der
Arbeitsvermittlung von Vermittlern, Reisebüros, einigen Medien sowie offenbar auch älteren
Verwandten zur (Zwangs)Prostitution in die Türkei (61,4%43), die Vereinigten Arabischen
Emirate (29,5%), nach Russland, Deutschland, Griechenland (4,5%) sowie andere europäischen
Staaten gelockt bzw. verschleppt werden. Ältere Mädchen sollen auch direkt aus
Waisenheimen oder von armen Angehörigen an wohlhabende Männer in Dubai verkauft
worden sein. Die Menschenhändler sind ehemalige Prostituierte oder Zuhälter mit Verbindungen
zu örtlichen Behörden sowie Verbrecherbanden. Die wenigsten Opfer wissen, dass
sie als Prostituierte enden werden, und selbst jene, die es wissen, ahnen nicht, dass man
ihnen ihre Papiere und ihr Geld abnehmen und sie unter brutalen und entwürdigendsten
Umständen ausbeuten wird.
Die Polizei Armeniens hat zahlreiche Fälle ermittelt, bedauert aber, nichts gegen die Hintermänner
unternehmen zu können, die im Mittleren Osten leben. In den Jahren 1999 und
2000 wurden höchsten vier Menschenhändler gerichtlich verurteilt, wobei die Gerichte die
Täter lediglich zu Bussgeldern und geringen Verwaltungsstrafen verurteilten. Weil meist die
Opfer die Hauptzeugen sind, wagen sie es aus Furcht vor Vergeltung nicht, die Täter zu
belasten. Bisher gibt es in Armenien weder eine nichtstaatliche Organisation, die ein Hilfsprogramm
für solche Opfer entwickelt hat, noch ein Programm der Regierung zur Verhinderung
des Menschen- bzw. Frauenhandels."

Document(s): Open document

09.2002 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

Das Projekt "Sustainable Guaranteed Agricultural Assistance to Women Microcredit Program" (AREGAK) der UMCOR unterstützt Frauen bei der wirtschaftlichen Existenzgründung ("Reisebericht Armenien 15.-21. Juli 2002") [#8888],  [ID 3191]

"Hilfskomitee der Vereinten Methodisten (UMCOR)/AREGAK

UMCOR sei seit 1994 in Armenien tätig und betreibe seit 1997 das 'Sustainable Guaranteed
Agricultural Assistance to Women Microcredit Program' (AREGAK), das in über 120
Gemeinden in 7 Regionen einschließlich Karabakh mit Projekten vertreten sei. Mit der
Gewährung von 24.247 Krediten zur wirtschaftlichen Existenzgründung in einer Gesamthöhe
von $7,5 Mio. seien bis Ende 2001 3.291 Frauengruppen unterstützt worden.
Im einzelnen wird AREGAK als Mikro-Kreditprogramm für Unternehmensgründungen durch
Frauen beschrieben, das durch UMCOR gefördert werde. AREGAK sei armenisch und
bedeutet Sonne. 90% der MitarbeiterInnen seien weiblich, es gäbe nur einzelne männliche
Projektmanager und Fahrer. Ziel des Projektes sei es, Frauen nach dem Prinzip der 'Hilfe zur
Selbsthilfe' als benachteiligte Gruppe stärker ins Wirtschaftsleben einzubinden und ihnen
wirtschaftliche Verantwortung zu übertragen. Mit der Kreditvergabe solle ermöglicht werden,
den Lebensstandard von armen Frauen und deren Familien im ländlichen, wie im städtischen
Raum zu heben. Mit Ende 2002 solle das Projekt eine eigene NGO werden. Es bestehe eine
Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Organisationen, wie beispielsweise UNHCR.
Das im Wesentlichen aus US-Mitteln bestrittene Programm umfasse 11.000 Mitglieder, wovon
30.000 aktive Kreditnehmerinnen seien. Die Vergabe der Gelder basiere auf dem Prinzip der
Gruppensolidarität. Jeweils fünf Frauen bildeten eine Gruppe, an die gemeinsam ein Darlehen
vergeben werde. Die Frauen seien gemeinsam für die Rückzahlung des Kredites
verantwortlich. Obwohl die Kredite ohne Sicherheit vergeben würden (d.h. kein Pfandsystem),
würden rund 98% der Darlehen zurückbezahlt.
Die Höhe der Darlehen betrage im ländlichen Raum $300 und $1.000 in Yerevan, mit einer
Laufzeit von ca. 10 Monaten. Unterstützt werde jede legale und sozial verträgliche
wirtschaftliche Aktivität, die Aussicht auf wirtschaftlichen Erfolg biete. Es gebe sowohl Projekte
im ländlichen als auch im städtischen Raum, z.B. Kleinhandel, Viehzucht, Fischerei,
Spielzeugproduktion. Behördliche Registrierung des 'Kleinbetriebs' sei Vorraussetzung für die Auszahlung von Krediten. Darüber hinaus müssten die Kreditnehmerinnen wirtschaftlich aktiv und bereits im
landwirtschaftlichen oder gewerblichen Bereich tätig sein. Benachteiligte Frauen (z.B. ältere
oder behinderte) würden in die Gruppen integriert.
Die Frauen erhielten vor der Auszahlung des Geldes eine wirtschaftliche Einschulung. Auch
begleitende technische und wirtschaftliche Unterstützung werde angeboten. Es würden im
Falle des Erfolges auch mehrere Kredite hintereinander vergeben, wenn
Expansionsmöglichkeiten gegeben seien.
Der Kredit ermögliche den Frauen und damit den jeweiligen Familien ein regelmäßiges
Einkommen, etwa 80% der Betriebe seien Familienbetriebe. Zudem schaffe eine Expansion
der Projekte neue Arbeitsplätze. Laut UMCOR haben Studien zudem ergeben, dass Frauen
(anders als Männer) mehr Geld beispielsweise für die Ausbildung ihrer Kinder und
medizinische Versorgung aufwenden. Diese Frauenprojekte seien auch deshalb wichtig, weil
es in Armenien einen hohen demographischen Frauenüberhang und viele Witwen gäbe, denn
viele Männer seien im Krieg gefallen oder arbeiteten im Ausland.
Eine neue Idee, die in Kürze umgesetzt werden solle, seien 'family loans', das seien Darlehen
für von Ehepaaren geführten, registrierten Firmen, wobei für jeden Kredit jeweils 3 Paare
haften würden. Mit Korruption hätte man wenig Probleme, da die Projekte zum einen nur
„kleine Fische“ wären, zudem sei die gesamte Organisation sehr in sich geschlossen und von
niemanden abhängig."

Document(s): acc-arm0902.pdf