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REAL MEN DON’T BEAT WOMEN/ VIDEO /

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“End to women’s violence”, “Silence is dishonorable”, “Sexual abuse is a crime”, “A real man doesn’t beat women”-these were just some of the posters held by members of the “Women’s Resource Center” NGO and other organizations as they organized a march on International Women's Violence Day.

“Sexual abuse against women is still active today because women are silent and the purpose of this march is to break the silence,” told “A1” correspondent of the “Women’s Resource Center” NGO Tatevik Aghabekyan.

According to her, although there was a notice for the march a couple of days ago, there was not much turnout.

Aghabekyan believes that the main impediment is not shedding enough light on violence against women and the lack of organizations fighting for sexually abused women.

The women were passing out flyers and putting them up on the walls during the marches in Yerevan. The last stop was near the Government building where participants handed a letter to the Armenian Premier. In the letter, the women call on the Premier to help the organizations fighting against violence against women, draft a state program aimed at preventing abuse, create resource centers in the Marzes and concede money from the state budget.

Foreign volunteers were also participating in the march. Lebanese-Armenian Nara Aharonyan was there with her 6 year-old daughter.

“There is violence everywhere. There are countries that have resources and help women in these situations. Armenian women want to speak out, but they are afraid and ashamed,” told “A1+” Nara Aharonyan. Dutch Oliver Van Lishaut said: “This is bad. I have three sisters and three daughters. Fifty-percent of mankind are women and they must be treated equally.”

During the march, “A1+” conducted some surveys among residents of Yerevan. According to a majority of Armenian men, there are not many cases of violence against women in Armenia.

“Men and women must solve family problems together. I don’t think it is right to raise the issues because they are strictly personal. The wife should not make her husband feel ashamed,” said fifth-year student of the Conservatory Gevorg Elbakyan.

The girls and women surveyed said that they consider divorce as the best option.

During the march, women were passing out papers with the names of women who have made contributions in Armenia, but have been forgotten. Among these women are Zabel Yesayan, Mariam Khatisyan, Satenik Ohanjanyan and others.