Back New report highlights Armenia’s progress and challenges in ratifying the Istanbul Convention

New report highlights Armenia’s progress and challenges in ratifying the Istanbul Convention

Armenia took concrete steps to strengthen prevention of violence against women and domestic violence through reforms aimed at aligning national legislation, policies and practices with the standards of the Council of Europe, namely the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).

The presentation of the report marked an important milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen protection against violence and progress towards ratification. It provided a platform for dialogue among participants aligning national responses with European standards.

Prepared at the request of the Armenian authorities within Phase II of the project “Ending Violence Against Women and Promoting Gender Equality in Armenia” , the report highlights progress achieved in recent years, including on legislative amendments, and in the Criminal Code. These changes strengthen the protection framework, improve measures, and lead to better practices. The report also notes improvements in institutional co-operation, while also identifying areas requiring further work.

The presentation highlighted the report’s main findings and enabled an exchange of views on outstanding issues and possible next steps to further strengthen the protection of women and address domestic violence.

The report was presented in Yerevan on 24 February 2026, bringing together representatives of state institutions and elected bodies, civil society organisations, frontline professionals and international partners to discuss next steps and strengthen co-ordinated response to violence against women.

“This report reflects the collective efforts over the past years to advance gender equality and to strengthen the fight against violence against women and domestic violence. It highlights both progress achieved and challenges that remain ahead,” said Maxime Longangué, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan. “While ratification is still pending, we are already seeing tangible change: national legislation and policies are moving closer to international standards; professionals are increasingly adopting victim-centred approaches; co-operation among institutions is strengthening; and support services are becoming more accessible to those who need them most. At the same time, ratification would anchor these advances in a binding legal framework ensuring consistent protection across the country, strengthen prevention obligations, reinforce accountability and guarantee sustainable institutional system of support for women and girls.”

 

The event was organised by the Council of Europe project “Ending Violence Against Women and Promoting Gender Equality in Armenia” Phase II implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 24 FEBRUARY 2026
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What is the goal and objective of the project?

This project continues the critical work achieved in Phase I of the Council of Europe project Ending Violence against Women and Promoting Gender Equality in Armenia (2023-2024) on preventing and combating violence against women (VAW) and domestic violence (DV), while promoting gender equality.

The overall goal of this project is to enhance the protection and promotion of women's rights in Armenia, with a specific focus on preventing and combating VAW and DV, including its digital dimension, and promoting gender equality. 

  

 Start date: 01 January 2025

 Duration: 24 months

 Funding: 700,000 EUR, Donors contributing to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026

Contact person: Ms Liana Amirbekyan, Senior Project Officer

Who benefits from the project?
How does the project work?

The project is implemented across two key complementary areas:
Preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: with a focus on the Istanbul Convention and on the GREVIO General Recommendation No.1 on the digital dimension of violence against women.
Promoting gender equality and women's empowerment: This area supports the integration of gender equality into educational curricula, enhance gender-responsive practices, and empower women, particularly refugee women and girls, to facilitate their active participation in political, public, and social life.

  • Strengthening policy and institutional frameworks:  to align Armenian legislation/ regulations with Council of Europe standards on gender equality and VAW/DV, including the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence known as the Istanbul Convention.
  • Improving practices, capacities, and awareness: to enhance the knowledge and skills of authorities, legal professionals, public officials, educators, media, and civil society to effectively address VAW/DV, promote gender equality, and combat stereotypes.
  • Supporting women's empowerment particularly refugee women and girls: to facilitate their active participation in political, public, and social life and to ensure their protection from violence.
What do we expect to achieve?

By combining legislative support, capacity building, and awareness-raising efforts, the project aims to create sustainable and impactful change, ensuring alignment with international standards and local ownership.

The project will be implemented in close co-operation with Armenian national authorities, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders, with the Council of Europe’s local office to ensure that activities are tailored to the Armenian context.

Reference documents
 Watch the film about the achievements of phase I of the project