Domestic Violence in Moldova - The Advocates for Human Rights
Domestic Violence in Moldova - The Advocates for Human Rights
Domestic Violence in Moldova - The Advocates for Human Rights
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deputy m<strong>in</strong>isters were women. 43 It is currently extremely difficult <strong>for</strong> women to enterpolitics without the back<strong>in</strong>g of men, and when they do, it is almost impossible <strong>for</strong> them toavoid the assumption that they are the political tools of men. 44In 1988, Armenia became embroiled <strong>in</strong> a dispute with Azerbaijan over the statusof the enclave of Nagorno-Karabagh, located <strong>in</strong> Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabagh washistorically a part of Armenia and was populated primarily by Armenians. 45 <strong>The</strong> conflicterupted <strong>in</strong>to war <strong>in</strong> 1993, kill<strong>in</strong>g over 30,000 people and displac<strong>in</strong>g a million more. 46 Acease-fire has been <strong>in</strong> effect s<strong>in</strong>ce 1994. This conflict, as well as civil war <strong>in</strong> neighbor<strong>in</strong>gGeorgia, has led to a flood of refugees <strong>in</strong>to Armenia. 47 <strong>The</strong> war led to blockades byTurkey and Azerbaijan and shortages of fuel, raw materials and food, as well as a decl<strong>in</strong>e<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial production.Also <strong>in</strong> 1988, a devastat<strong>in</strong>g earthquake left over 25,000 dead and 500,000homeless <strong>in</strong> Armenia. 48 <strong>The</strong> cities most devastated by the earthquake have still not beencompletely rebuilt. In Gyumri, a city heavily affected by the earthquake, some residentswho lost their homes have been liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> temporary shelters <strong>for</strong> the past twelve years. Arepresentative of an NGO reported that the slow recovery from the disaster complicatedthe work of local NGOs. She stated, “somehow the mentality is different <strong>in</strong> Gyumri.People see no change <strong>in</strong> the twelve years s<strong>in</strong>ce the earthquake and this creates a sense ofapathy.” 49Armenia is currently experienc<strong>in</strong>g a severe economic crisis. In 1992, 97% of thepopulation was designated as liv<strong>in</strong>g below the absolute poverty l<strong>in</strong>e fixed byeconomists. 50 S<strong>in</strong>ce then, the economy has improved only slightly, and poverty figureshave been estimated most recently at 54%. 51 Unemployment is high; even when peoplehave jobs, salaries are low and payment is very often delayed. Well over half the43 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS, STATE REGISTER AND ANALYSIS, Women and Men<strong>in</strong> Armenia at 48-49 (1999).44 Dudwick, supra note 17 at 245.45 Fact Sheet: Nagororno-Karabagh. American Research Center 3 <strong>The</strong> University of Michigan-Dearborn. (1996) available at .46 International Mediators <strong>in</strong> Baku <strong>for</strong> Talks on Nagorno-Karabagh. Agence France Press, December14, 1999.47 <strong>The</strong> Europa World Year Book, volume I (1999).48 Id.49 Interview, February 21, 2000 (NGO activist).50 Status of Women <strong>in</strong> Armenia, 2000, United Nations Development Program Draft Report at 34 (2000)(unpublished).51 Id.M<strong>in</strong>nesota <strong>Advocates</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong>, <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> <strong>in</strong> Armenia, December 2000 11