The openMovements series invites leading social scientists to share their research results and perspectives on contemporary social struggles.
Maro at a public consultation which erupted into a physical confrontation between the critics and defenders of the bill. Author's own photo. All rights reserved.Women’s rights NGOs have been campaigning for the passage of the domestic violence bill for many years. As the Armenian National Assembly debates the bill, there have been heated debates between the defenders and critics. Defenders of the bill argue that a law on domestic violence is needed to prevent and tackle abuse, while critics argue that the bill is an attempt to undermine Armenian family values.
Below is an interview conducted by Armine Ishkanian with one of the key campaigners for the bill, Maro Matosian, the Executive Director of the Women’s Support Center NGO in Armenia. She has worked over two decades in the non-profit sector in Armenia and is an activist and feminist in defence of civil society in Armenia working with and for environmentalists, protection of public spaces and historic monuments, women, and the rights of other marginalized groups.
