Karabakh activists upset with election outcomes to Stepanakert Council of Elders

Among the newly elected members of the Stepanakert Council of Elders there are no women. Rita Mnatsakanyan, an MP of the National Assembly (Parliament) of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), has suggested ensuring the election of women to bodies of power at the legislative level. The society is scornfully treating women in politics are, NGO activists believe.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 8, elections to local self-governments were held in the NKR.

In Stepanakert, 42 candidates ran for 15 seats in the Council of Elders; not a single women has been elected, which outraged Ms Mnatsakanyan, who has stated on her Facebook that she intends to initiate the legislative support for the election of women to Councils of Elders.

"Among the candidates for the Stepanakert Council of Elders there were young women, who have knowledge; and they should be able to show it," said Gayane Ambartsumyan, Director of the NGO "Women's Resource Centre". She believes that in the NKR "people neglect women in politics."

"But our women have enormous potential that can positively serve the country," she has noted.

"Women should exhibit more solidarity and vote for women at elections," said Ruzanna Avakyan, an activist of the NGO "Union of Armenian Refugees from Azerbaijan".