ARMENIA

Collapse of the Soviet Union and transition period has destroyed existing structure of health services. Present difficult social and economic situation and lack of stable strategy of health lead to change in women’s health status, especially in reproductive health. Health services became not affordable for majority of women because they have to pay for it. The Government has worked out a system of state payment for insolvent population but it does not work. The reason is that health workers do not get their miserable salaries (app. $10 monthly) for several months and that is why they are fully dependent on patients’ payments. Total number of childbirth has sharply decreased; number of pathological childbirth has increased. Abortion remains the most popular mean of contraception.

Though in Armenian legislation certain laws are passed but in fact women cannot exercise their health related rights, including reproductive rights. Armenian legislation permits induced abortion, pregnancy and childbirth planning, getting information and usage of any contraceptives, however there are problems preventing applying the laws in reality. Abortion and means of contraception are payable. Formally, delivery services are free, but in fact people very often have to pay for it, because health workers need financial assistance for themselves and for the hospital.

The society does not permit premarital sexual relations, having a child without being married, having a sexual partner. These and other aspects of Armenian cultural traditions are reflected in WRC survey.

Women’s Right Center polled the woman on sexual life. One of the question concerned reproductive rights of women. Apparently, 63% did not understand the meaning of those rights. 19 women did not know anything about them and 65 women could not even specify which of those rights were cited in the Armenian Constitution. One third of women agreed their reproductive rights were protected in Armenia; 2 women considered their rights were fully protected; 28 women said those rights were protected only partly; 23 women answered negatively.

The family planning was also on agenda of WRC survey and it was surprised to learn that most of women were informed well on family planing issues.

To the question “Who in your family is in charge of taking decision on desired pregnancy?” 61 women noted democratic approach on this: bilateral and independent decision in 24 cases. In 15 cases forced pregnancy took place and in the majority of such cases it was mother-in-law who took decision. To our question: “Why don’t you decide about that?” some women responded that there were their husbands who took charge, they feared violence from theirs husbands; mother-in-law thought her son should have to take the decision because he was the breadwinner in the family; mother-in-law made her give birth though she was unwilling to do so for money reasons.

To our question ”Who in your life takes the decision in choosing the method of contraception”, women answered the following way: women themselves – 23, husbands – 20, both – 47, mother-in-law – in the rest of cases. Forced contraception took place in 30 cases.

Access of women to health services and information is formally not limited. But women cannot afford them. From the other side the hospitals are not able to deliver those services in a proper level because they are not sufficiently equipped. It is typical for urban areas. In rural regions the situation is worse and women from rural area cannot afford travelling to the cities.

Despite of difficult social and economic situation of the country and poverty there are highly qualified specialists in Armenia and in the conditions of being not sufficiently equipped they are able to render necessary help.

Girl child and adolescent girls do not acquire sexual behaviours and education either in family or at the educational institutions. They are getting in touch with the issue through the dubious films and literature. They are not acquainted with the basis of contraception. Number of first abortion and adolescent girls’ pregnancies has increased. The attitude of girls towards the phenomena itself has changed. Number of adolescent prostitutes has increased.