The Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia Armen Grigoryan Delivered a Speech at the High-Level International Conference Entitled “Effective Defense and Security: Promoting the Meaningful Participation of Women in and beyond the Armed Forces of Armenia”

27 / 11 / 2025

On November 27, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Grigoryan, delivered a speech at the high-level international conference entitled “Effective Defense and Security: Promoting the Meaningful Participation of Women in and beyond the Armed Forces of Armenia”, jointly organized by the Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, the NATO Liaison Office in Georgia, and UN Women.

The full text of the Security Council Secretary’s speech is provided below.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

It is a great honor to speak before this distinguished audience to discuss how we can promote women’s participation in and beyond the armed forces. This issue is closely linked to national security, democratic values, and fundamental human rights. Before continuing, I would like to express my gratitude to UN Women, NATO, representatives of civil society, and all women serving in the relevant institutions of the Republic of Armenia.

Security in the 21st century requires the combination and complementarity of the capabilities of all citizens, both women and men. Modern security institutions need diverse skills: cultural sensitivity, language abilities, cybersecurity expertise, proficiency in information technologies, psychological and social understanding, and the ability to communicate meaningfully with local communities. Studies conducted in various countries around the world show that balanced participation of women and men in the armed forces makes these institutions more effective and more successful in solving complex problems. Therefore, for Armenia, the inclusion of women in the security system, particularly in the Armed Forces, is not merely symbolic, but a strategic necessity.

Despite significant progress, we acknowledge that women are still underrepresented in the defense and security sector, especially in leadership positions. To promote the role of women and create more inclusive opportunities, the Government of Armenia is taking consistent steps. An important example is the introduction of voluntary six-month military service for women, which gives women aged 18–27 the opportunity to undergo military training and, upon successful completion of service, receive an honorary payment of approximately 2,500 euros.

One concrete example of women’s service in Armenia is the formation of a women’s battalion, composed entirely of female service members. It is noteworthy that separate conditions and developed infrastructure have been created for the battalion to organize service properly and achieve good results. The women conscripted for voluntary military service also serve here. I would also like to highlight the participation of Armenian women servicemen in peacekeeping missions abroad, which strengthens Armenia’s contribution to global peace and security.

Women’s involvement has gradually expanded into a number of new professional fields, including military medicine, communications and control, logistics, military education, and certain branches of intelligence.

Beyond the Armed Forces, there is also a broader culture of inclusivity in Armenia’s security system. Today, women hold some of the highest positions in the fields of internal and external security and justice in Armenia, such as the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Justice, the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the Prosecutor General. These examples show that we have made progress in security governance, but we also acknowledge that there is still much work to be done to achieve the desired results. I am convinced that high-ranking female officials inspire many young women and demonstrate that opportunities exist. Women leaders, through their example, broaden the horizons of young girls’ aspirations, giving us hope for a better future. It is clear that addressing the issue of equal participation of women in the security sector is only possible if this issue is also addressed in other spheres of public life. This requires comprehensive, rather than fragmented, approaches. The executive branch, the National Assembly, the judicial bodies, civil society, and the media all have significant work to do in this direction.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security,” marked in October this year, the Republic of Armenia has developed its Third National Action Plan (NAP), reaffirming the government’s commitment to enhancing the role of women and combating violence against women. At the level of international law, the Republic of Armenia adheres to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, International Humanitarian Law, and the standards set by the International Labour Organization.

In this context, I would also like to emphasize the importance of oversight mechanisms. The National Assembly of Armenia, civil society organizations, and the Office of the Human Rights Defender play an important role in promoting gender equality and preventing discrimination or abuse in defense- and security-related institutions. Their involvement strengthens transparency and contributes to the implementation of relevant reforms.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Armenia’s security vision is comprehensive. It includes the protection of human rights, institutional trust, democratic stability, and social inclusion. Women’s role throughout the entire security system — from ministries to command chains, from peacekeeping missions to the frontlines — enhances our national potential and strengthens the foundations for long-term peace.

As Armenia continues on its path of reforms, we are determined to closely cooperate with our international partners. Your experience, your support, and your engagement contribute to the reforms that are vital for our shared security and regional stability.
Once again, I thank you for organizing this conference and for the opportunity to speak.

Thank you.