Armenia: women-candidates for MPs get special training in speech etiquette

Within the programme "Development of Women's Skills in Politics'', the British Council in Armenia holds training sessions, during which women-candidates for parliament are taught to properly build their statements, manage emotions and work with the audience. The training covers 24 candidates from eight parties.

'' The programme 'Development of Women's Skills in Politics' promotes women's public speaking skills and proper communication with the media," said Lilith Kalantaryan, who is in charge of the British Council programmes.

''Candidates for MPs should know what they can tell to the press, and what should be better avoided. The women apply their new knowledge in practice in the course of the training sessions; and they evaluate themselves this or that situation in video examples,'' Ms Kalantaryan told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

She noted that she stands for gender equality; and since today Armenian women have little experience of speaking in public, they organize special training for women.

'' First of all, they must overcome their fear of large audiences,'' said Lilith Kalantaryan.

Colon Downs, a trainer in skills development from the UK appreciates the confidence and openness of the women participating in the training, and their desire to learn new things.

He is confident that such training course is beneficial both for women and men. Mr Downs makes no difference between women and men; however, he notes that in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey women are talking too excitedly and emotionally on political topics, which comes, in his opinion, from the culture and traditions of pronouncing toasts in these countries.

The words of these women are very touching in perception, said the trainer. On the one hand, it can efficiently influence people; on the other hand, their excessive emotionality ''may cause an opposite effect, especially in foreign policy.''