EU Organised An Exhibition Dedicated to International Women's Day

13.03.2018

EU Organised An Exhibition Dedicated to International Women's Day

On March 12, a photo exhibition dedicated to International Women's Day took place at Grand Atrium hall in Yerevan Mall. The exhibition was organized by the European Union and featured portraits of women entrepreneurs who have received support from the EU for developing their businesses. The portraits were taken by 4Plus collective of Armenian women photographers. "We are very much convinced that our activities to support women empowerment in Armenia make good sense, - said EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Switalski. - We consider women in Armenia to be the biggest untapped potential for the growth and the development of the country. We support bigger involvement of women into politics and also into business." He added that Armenia has the highest rate of unemployment among women in the post-Soviet region. According to the International Labour Organization, 17,3% of women above the age of 25 are unemployed. "Therefore it is so important to encourage women to take the initiative in their own hands and to start developing in particular their own businesses."

The event was attended by the female stakeholders of EU projects. "In 2015, I participated in a project by Young Women Association, - tells Lusine Baratyan, owner of Vanadzor-based “Lusia Food” semi-finished products production company. – I took a series of trainings and was assisted to develop a business plan.” Lusine received a grant from EU to purchase equipment for her production, and now branding for “Lusia Food” is being designed also with the support from the EU.

The portraits of Armenian businesswomen hang from the glass dome of Yerevan Mall serving as example and inspiration for others.