A senior Armenian official highlighted women’s involvement in political decision-making and the development of security policy in his speech at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council’s landmark Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, made the remarks at an international conference titled Living the Agenda: 25 Years of WPS and Armenia’s Call for Human Security.
“This document, adopted 25 years ago, laid the foundation for a new global agenda — Women, Peace and Security — and created a historic institutional basis for recognizing the role of women in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-war recovery processes. This year’s event theme — ‘Living The Agenda: 25 Years of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and Armenia’s Call for Human Security’ — is particularly relevant for our region, where peace and security have become fundamental prerequisites for the development of the people living here. And this anniversary year is not only symbolic but also obligating, reminding us that peace and security cannot be sustainable if women’s voices and participation are not heard in the processes of building them,” Grigoryan said.
Secretary Grigoryan reaffirmed that Armenia remains committed to implementing the National Action Plan for the “Women, Peace and Security” resolution, which includes strategic and practical measures aimed at enhancing women’s participation in the security sector, based on the principles of inclusion, resilience, and human security.
“The Government of the Republic of Armenia, and particularly the Ministry of Defense, has implemented and continues to implement a number of programs aimed at increasing women’s involvement and professional advancement within military and civilian security structures, as well as enhancing their participation in strategic planning, crisis management, and peacekeeping missions, where the progress has been significant.
We also attach great importance to the role of civil society, as organizations working in the field of women’s rights are actively engaged in peacebuilding initiatives, conflict prevention, and promoting peace. They are carrying out programs in border communities aimed at strengthening resilience and increasing women’s participation — efforts that undoubtedly contribute to the development of women’s leadership,” Grigoryan said.
The Secretary of the Security Council noted that in recent years, women’s engagement in Armenia’s security and defense sectors has been steadily increasing.
“Today, the number of female service members in the Armed Forces has noticeably grown, and women’s participation in political decision-making has also increased. According to the Global Gender Gap Report, Armenia ranks 59th among 146 countries — the highest ranking in the region. Currently, women’s representation in the parliament has reached 38%, which is also the highest indicator in the region. Women are represented in the Cabinet, in local self-government bodies, and in various branches of public administration,” the Secretary of the Security Council stated.
Armen Grigoryan added that Armenia, situated in a complex region, has developed its own experience, where the perception of security is being transformed into a model based on human and societal resilience.
“We understand that security systems cannot be effective if they lack public trust, participation, and equality. That is why our goal is to ensure an environment where every citizen — whether woman or man — can live in safety, dignity, and peace. In this context, we emphasize the role of women not only as beneficiaries of peace but as its active creators,” Grigoryan stressed.
Concluding his remarks, Secretary Grigoryan underscored that women’s engagement in political decision-making, peacekeeping efforts, and the development of security policies is essential for establishing genuine and lasting peace.
