On 10 December 2013 the delegation of the Yerevan School of Political Studies participated in the conference on “PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN PUBLIC AND POLITICAL LIFE IN THE EASTERN PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES” held in Chisinau, Moldova. The aim of the event was to increase women’s participation in the political process as political activists, party members, candidates and voters.
 
The meeting gathered female parliamentarians, representatives of Central Electoral Commission and civil society from the Eastern Partnership countries to discuss the role of women in elections, political parties and media, and to exchange experiences on reconciling professional and family lives.

During the conference the members of delegations of the Schools of Political Studies presented the Country Reports with statistical data on issues related to unemployment and political engagement of women, education, standards of living, the role of the media, etc.

Taking stock of the progress achieved towards a balanced participation of women in politics in the context of technical assistance efforts provided by international donors, the EAP Conference on “Participation of Women in Public and Political life” achieved two main goals. First, fostered authentic collaboration between central public institutions and NGOs and second, identified new actions aimed at strengthening skills and resources of women competing for elected office, with initiatives by parties, associations, media and NGOs, including knowledge networks, mentoring programmes, skills training and funding for women candidates.      

The conference was organised within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Facility, which is financed by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe in partnership with the Schools of Political Studies of the Eastern Partnership countries.