Gender component inclusion in ICT (research) 2014-2015

The Inclusion of Gender Component in ICT Development Policy and Information Society Building in Armenia

Research 

In 2014-15 The Inclusion of Gender Component in ICT Development Policy and Information Society Building in Armenia research was conducted which  aimed to monitor the implementation of RA Gender Policy Concept Paper (in line with RA Gender Equality law), partially the inclusion of gender component (criteria) in ICT Development Policy, in Information Society building in Armenia and reform proposal on Women in ICT policy and action plan. The research was carried out by Narine Abazyan and Ani Manukyan. 

The research was implemented with support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Higher Education for Development  (HED), Arizona State University and Center for Gender and Leadership Studies in YSU.  

Numerous issues were raised as a result of the research; 

• IT in Armenia needs a lot of smart specialist, young girls and women are among them,we limit our society opportunities if we reject the fact that women's integration in IT development, policy making and management is very low.  
• Women and girls must not only look for a job, but they create jobplaces and become main actors in building Information Society.  

The suggestions of the research were presented to relevant state and private sectors, NGO-s international organisations which boost women's role in Information Society building processes. 

 See some of the Suggestions; 

• Support by all stakeholders to integrate women and girls in ICT.
• Business leaders and policy makers should work together to eliminate barriers women face upon entering IT jobmarket and instead implement the expertise and policies that ensure equal opportunities for women's leadership in IT. 
•  Long-term cooperation must be established among public and private sector, academic institutions, international organisations and NGO-s to develop IT sector, information society strategies and implement them with gender component inclusion, to join  52% of Arenian population with ICT communities. 

see: http://www.ysu.am/files/Final%20report%20ARM%20Narine%20Abazian%20and%20%20Ani%20%20Manukyan.pdf

In 2014 the findings of the research were introduced at Women's advancement 30th annual conference in Texas Tech University, Texas, US as a panelist. The research results were published in the conference catalogue.