The last census in Armenia was conducted in 2011.
In her interview with 1lurer.am , Karine Kuyumjyan, the Head of Population Census and Demography Division, RA National Statistical Service, stated that due to the coronavirus emergency the census planned to be conducted this year had been postponed for one year.
“Usually the census is conducted every 10 years in view of the fact that it is quite a luxury for statistical agencies. It serves as a basis for a number of indicators used over a span of 10 years. The census is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the UN, however many countries are not able to do it even on 10 years’ basis”, said Kuyumjyan.
As she reported, current statistics on the population of Armenia showed 2 million 956 thousand 900 people as of April 1. However, the census of 2011 revealed the share of migrants in the population of Armenia to be 6.6 percent: this data reflected people whose country of origin was not Armenia.
In the conversation with 1lurer.am referring to the asylum seekers in Armenia, Nelli Davtyan, Public Relations Officer in the RA Migration Service, noted that since 1999, more than 3800 foreigners have applied for asylum in Armenia, and more than 2360 have been recognized as refugees.
“In 2019 the Migration Service of the RA MTAD granted the status of refugee to 116 people. In the first half of the year, we had around 100 asylum seekers with 40 percent of them receiving refugee status”, said Davtyan.
Speaking to 1lurer.am on refugee issues, Anahit Hayrapetyan, External Relations Associate, UNHCR Armenia, said that the main issue refugees faced was the language barrier. Hayrapetyan emphasized that even if they were ethnic Armenians they would still confront this issue in terms of differences in Western and Armenian languages. According to her, knowing their rights as refugees is a whole different aspect of the issue.
“The term refugee was used in 1951 when the Geneva Convention on Refugees was adopted. Refugee status is a status of protection, which implies that the country granting refugee status must also provide them with shelter, food and essential supplies”, said Hayrapetyan, noting that most of the refugees over the last years came from Yemen because of the war, from Afghanistan fleeing from persecutions. However, most of the refugees point out personal circumstances.
“It is crucial to understand whether these are the arguments that might serve as a basis for granting refugee status. There must be grounds to be weighed in determining to grant a person refugee status, as s/he cannot return to persecution that can often result in torture,” said Hayrapetyan.
She stated that the key task of the UN, other international agencies and the state itself would be to provide them with shelter, food and education. "If they display the potential to become an entrepreneur, to venture into a small business, we provide them with tools and gear, and where necessary - a grant, and also involve them in integration development programs. Quite often the refugee community itself, once up on their feet, get involved in voluntary activities putting every effort to help the most vulnerable refugees in the community,” said Hayrapetyan.
As the representative of UNHCR Armenia states, most of the refugee women in particular those fleeing from Near East, have never been engaged in any type of work before, hence Armenia has become the first harbor of their business thus contributing to their empowerment as well.
“We make sure that they are registered and not a shadow labor force so that they have access to assistance packages provided by the Government in response to coronavirus emergency. The experience of the recent months showed how important it was to have registered work in order to have access to similar programs,” mentioned Hayrapetyan. She also emphasized that ishli kufta made by women for their families has become as source of profit for them thus turning their hobby into a profitable business. According to Hayrapetyan, a number of bistros, cafes and restaurants opened where the majority of chief cooks were Syrian Armenian women.
1Lurer.am held an interview with Silva Kalajian Tutunjian from Syria, who has received refugee status only recently but had a long established business in Armenia. She has settled in Armenia 8 years ago. Opening up, Silva mentioned that the beginning was rather hard; she did not work for two years and made efforts to integrate. Owing to her handwork, she attended a number of exhibitions for a number of years before she made up her mind to start her own business. Today, the sole entrepreneur owns a wedding planning hall providing wedding planning services. She has started another business with her photographer husband - they opened a photography studio offering photo shooting services.
“I did not face any obstacles here as a woman. Since day one in Armenia I have no intention to leave the country. This is where I am able to, though little by little, but still realize all my dreams. In the beginning I was making Christmas tree decorations using disposable items, while today I am already a sole entrepreneur. You just have to set your heart on it, nothing is impossible,” said Silva.
Ani Hakobian, one of the Syrian Armenian refugee women does not have her own business, however she collaborates with fashion salons offering them her unique beadwork.
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“You know, initially it was extremely complicated. We did not know anyone, but as soon as we started working, the work itself helped unfold a whole new environment of relationships. Now, every time I embellish the fabric with beads I listen to our Armenian music and sing along. With every single piece of work that I create I say - blessed is the one who will be wearing this garment,” tells Ani.
Talking to 1lurer.am, the refugee women marked that with any type of job not only your talent, but also the eagerness matter.
