‘Uplifting Women from Poverty’: ARS Gives CSW Presentation in NY
NEW YORK—On March 14, the Armenian Relief Society, Inc. (ARS), in collaboration with the Mission of Armenia to the United Nations (U.N.), held a side event during the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) entitled, “Uplifting Women from Poverty through Partnerships,” at the U.N. Headquarters in New York.
Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan gave introductory remarks, highlighting the importance of the CSW and the commitment of member states to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). He went on to introduce the ARS by stating “…how very excited I am to welcome you all to this side event that we have initiated with the ARS a long-standing partner of our mission here at the U.N. and a very active participant on the work of the U.N. especially on issues which concern the agenda on the Commission of Sustainable Development.”
Dr. Nyree Derderian, vice-chairperson to the ARS Central Executive Board, served as moderator to the event. She spoke of a recent development project taken on by the ARS with the Russian Federation, Armenia, and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This project is taking place in the Tavush region of Armenia and is meant to uplift women from poverty by focusing on SDG 1 (poverty eradication), SDG 2 (hunger), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (employment), and SDG 17 (partnerships).
The list of panelists of the event included the senior adviser of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Michael Herrman; the founder of ONEArmenia, Patrick Sarkissian; the co-founder of Harvest Song Artisanal Preserves, Sylvia Tirakian; the founder of Meline’s Garden, a start-up initiative introducing quinoa to Armenia, Taline Kevonian; and the manager of U.N. Women/Empower Women, Anna Falth. Each panelist spoke of his or her work and ongoing projects.
The event ended with a lively question-and-answer session and was attended by a large number of member states, U.N. agencies, and ARS and other NGO leaders and members. The purpose of the event was to bring together those interested in the promotion of the empowerment of women through programs and projects that increase sustainability and inclusive growth. The Armenian Relief Society is a proud participant and member of the CSW and will continue efforts to empower women in Armenia and many other parts of the world.
To view the event on U.N. live webcast TV, visit http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/watch/uplifting-women-from-poverty-through-partnerships-csw60-side-event/4801920201001.
Source: Armenian Weekly Mid-Atlantic