Presenting the results of public surveys as part of the project Combating Gender-Based Violence in the South Caucasus, Sargizov said that sexual, physical and economic violence are the more common types of abuse.
Sargizova explained that by economic violence she is referring to cases in which a husband prohibits his wife from working and restricts her right to make use of the family’s finances, providing money only for household expenses.
According to the UN representative, 80% of respondents view such a scenario as violence, but only 15% are ready to speak out about it.
Public surveys were conducted by the National Statistical Service from October 2008 to June 2009.
The annual campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Armenia, which is part of a global movement, began on Wednesday, Sargizova told the press conference.
The 16 Days campaign includes a peaceful protest march from the Women’s Resource Centre to Charles Aznavour Square on Wednesday and a collective art exhibition and film screening on 5-7 December at the Moscow Cinema.
Wednesday's press conference was also addressed by Maria Dostenko, representative of the UN Department of Public Information (UNDPI) in Armenia, and Lala Ghazaryan, head of the department for the family, women and children at the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues.
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