Civic Activism as a Novel Component of Armenian Civil Society

5.1.2. Stop Changes in Maternity Leave Law
• Background: What is the issue?
This initiative is an interesting case of re-starting activism after a period of inaction. The
initiative first came into being in 2011 as a response to a change in the legislation on temporary
unemployment benefits enacted on December 1, 2010. The change affected pregnant working
women, who would see their benefits cut. The initiative organised a number of activities,
including protests, press conferences, and sending letters to legislative representatives and
executive officials. In February 2011, under pressure from the activists, the media and the
broader public, the government reversed its decision and restored the original provision of 100%
paid maternity leave. The initiative has achieved its objectives; in the retrospect, we can say that
it went into a dormant stage.
The impetus for the re-birth of activism was set when, in early October 2014, the
government again proposed changes to the maternity leave law. Women who do not work would
receive more money, while women who work would no longer receive compensation equal to
their salaries when they are on maternity leave; instead, the sum would be dependent on the
number of years they had worked. The “Stop Changes in Maternity Leave Law” initiative was
re-launched as a reaction.
• Chronology and the main developments
On 23 October 2014, not only working mothers but also their children protested in front of the
RA government building. Approximately 150 people participated in the demonstration. The
protesters stated that if the Law on Luxury Tax was enforced, then not-working mothers could be
financed from those taxes, not from funds that would otherwise go to working women.
On 29 October 2014, the activists of the initiative said that they were planning to address
a letter to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. During a press conference organised by the
Women’s Rights Centre (same day), the representatives of the centre said that if compensation
during the maternity leave were to depend on the number of years worked, then women would
postpone pregnancy until their work histories were long enough to entitle them to proper
compensation.
During the 18 November 2014, session of the National Assembly, the latter stated that it
would do everything possible to both increase the compensation of non-working mothers and
give 100% salary compensation to high-income working women. Thus, the initiative can be
characterised as a success, at least for the time being.
• Current status of the initiative
The government decision was reversed; hence, there is no need for active engagement at the
moment. However, the initiative cannot be considered fully dissolved. There seems to be some
organisational inertia present, and people involved remain active to some extent, particularly on
social media. The current state of the initiative can be described as one of slow progress; it is not
yet fully resolved or closed. As one of the leaders mentioned in one of the interviews, it has been
39