Back Armenia: more progress needed to combat violence against women

Armenia: more progress needed to combat violence against women

Violence against women remains a serious issue in Armenia, according to a memorandum released today by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights following his visit to the country in February 2026. While welcoming the authorities' willingness to address violence against women (VAW), the Commissioner identifies gaps in law enforcement and survivor protection.

Legislative reforms mark clear progress, notably the 2024 amendments to the 2017 Law on Domestic Violence and the 2022 Criminal Code, alongside the introduction of new tools to better protect women and girls such as police and court protection orders and the establishment of support services. A new Gender Strategy and Action Plan 2025-2028 also represent a useful roadmap. Armenia's advance in global gender indices further reflects these positive steps.

However, issues remain with putting laws into practice. Law enforcement and the judiciary reportedly prioritise family reconciliation and "restoring peace within the family" over addressing the needs of survivors. Interaction with the authorities is sometimes re-traumatising for survivors who face victim-blaming and fear of retaliation from the perpetrators. Furthermore, emergency protection orders are inconsistently issued and enforced.

“An institutional culture that prioritises informal family conciliation over survivor safety leaves too many women unprotected”, stated the Commissioner. “Protecting women and girls requires more than laws; it requires an unequivocal commitment to their application and ensuring that victims find support and justice.”

Operational gaps also persist. A unified, state-supported 24/7 national helpline is still lacking. Shelters and regional support centres for survivors face funding shortages, rely on private donors, and lack the capacity to represent survivors in legal proceedings and to accommodate vulnerable groups, particularly in remote or rural communities.

Additionally, misinformation around the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) and anti-gender campaigns mobilising myths about the Convention continue to stall its ratification.

“Countering harmful misinformation and ratifying the Istanbul Convention without delay is crucial to establishing a comprehensive shield for all survivors”, said the Commissioner.

To bridge the gap between law and practice, the Commissioner recommends the following set of key actions:

  • Legal frameworks: ratify the Istanbul Convention without any further delay and without reservations; carry out public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation, and consider introducing a stand-alone domestic violence offence. Introduce a reliable compensation mechanism for survivors of VAW; establish a state-funded compensation scheme for cases where perpetrators lack the means to pay.
  • Systemic reforms: institutionalise mandatory, survivor-centred and trauma-informed training for law enforcement, judicial and other professionals dealing with survivors. Further reform police and judicial procedures to ensure effective protection orders, including sanctions for violations of these orders. Regularly review and adapt survivor protection protocols to minimise trauma and guarantee support for all survivors. Continue developing the national database on domestic violence to enable proper individual risk assessment, analysis, and evidence-based policymaking.
  • Comprehensive survivor support: expand the number of shelters and regional support centres in line with the Council of Europe standards and increase their funding as needed; ensure access to them for all vulnerable groups such as women with disabilities, children, older women, and women belonging to minorities. Provide shelters with state-supported security and transport. Establish a unified, state-supported 24/7 national helpline for survivors of VAW. Ensure timely access to legal aid for survivors of VAW at every stage of proceedings.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER STRASBOURG 27 May 2026
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The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading human rights organisation, with 46 member states, including Armenia. All our member states are party to the European Convention on Human Rights, which is the cornerstone of human rights protection in Europe.

The Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, represents the Secretary General in Armenia. It closely co-operates with national authorities supporting the implementation of statutory obligations to the Council of Europe by Armenia through co-operation projects.

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