AIWA and the United Nations

AS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, WE APPOINT SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK TO ENSURE THAT ARMENIAN WOMEN ARE PART OF THE WORLD’S CONVERSATION.

Our participation in UN activities allows us to contribute to the efforts that support peace and equality around the world. The Armenian International Women’s Association is accredited to the UN ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) and the UN DPI (Department of Public Information). As a member of the UN NGO Commission on the Status of Women, we have been hosting a panel event every year in March as part of the NGO CSW annual session.

Our panel for the sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place March 10, 2023. The priority theme was Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

AIWA focused on “STEM Opportunities to Advance Women & Girls in the Digital Age.”
Panelists discussed how to address the underrepresentation of women and girls in STEM education and the job market, accessibility of training, and education to teach everywhere, including rural areas. The conversation addressed Armenian women and girls’ personal and professional expansion in the fast growing and highest-paid computer and engineering jobs where women make up 25% and 16% of the jobs available, respectively.

Why does the UN matter for AIWA?

Advocacy

By participating in panels, meetings and discussions, we increase the civic engagement of Armenian women and enable them to speak on behalf of others

Relevance

Having a voice and providing input means AIWA can influence the importance of Armenia and Armenian women within the global agenda of the UN.

Leadership

AIWA sets an example for others and paves the way for future leaders from the community.

UN Accomplishments

Represented as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) at the United Nations in New York since 1992
Sponsored several panels at the UN and participates in the NGO Commission on the Status of Women annual sessions in March
Met privately during our International Conference in Geneva with the Director General of the UN, Sergei Ordjonikidze, to discuss several issues, among them the role of women in peacekeeping and conflict resolution.
authored with AGBU and ARF a joint letter to his Excellency António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, asking him to take immediate action concerning the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict (Oct 27, 2020)
4 AIWA members attended the UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, China, 1995

Representative Past AIWA UN Panels

STEM Opportunities to Advance Women & Girls in the Digital Age — 2023
From Decision Making to Financing: Achieving Gender equality in the context of climate change, environmental, and disaster risk reduction — 2022
Women’s Economic Empowerment in a Changing World of Human Environment — 2021
Elevating Armenian Women’s Role in Decision Making and Domestic/International Relations — 2020
Women as Agents of Sustainable Peace: From Revolution to Governance — 2019
Amplifying Voices and Choices: Pathways to Ensuring Rural Gender Equity — 2018
Economic Empowerment of Women: Lessons from Armenia — 2017
Development of Programs and Evaluation Methodologies Designed to Achieve Gender Equality — 2016
The Role of Men in in Preventing Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence — 2013
Rural Women: Imagery and Empowerment — 2012
Women’s Rights are Human Rights: Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights — 2008
Climate Change and the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection: Challenges for Holistic Health and Education — 2007