FIRST WOMEN'S MENTORING PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000848

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/CARC, G/IWI

E.O.: 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KPAO SCUL SOCI AM
SUBJECT: FIRST WOMEN'S MENTORING PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN ARMENIA

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Summary
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1. On December 8, Ambassador Yovanovitch launched the first women's
mentoring program in Armenia for female students of the American
University of Armenia (AUA) and local Armenian women leaders.
Mentors and mentees were introduced to each other and learned about
the concept and objectives of the year-long mentoring program, which
will be administered by AUA. Ambassador Yovanovitch and AUA Provost
Dr. Lucig Danielian delivered remarks highlighting the special
calling women have to support and promote the careers of other
women. Press extensively covered the event. End summary.

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Engaging the Other Fifty Percent
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2. On December 8, Ambassador Yovanovitch inaugurated the first
women's mentoring program in Armenia for 45 female students of the
American University of Armenia (AUA) and local Armenian women
leaders. The year-long program, which will be administered by AUA,
introduces the concept of formal mentoring to Armenian women and
provides a unique opportunity for women leaders to impart career
advice, share their experience, and serve as role models for the
promising young students. The program was designed with a special
focus on young women due to the fact that, although Armenian women
are engaged in all aspects of Armenian society, they are
significantly underrepresented in key positions in government and
business. Mentors were selected based on commitment to public
service, leadership, and expertise in their fields. Mentees were
selected and matched according to strong academic performance,
potential, and their specific fields of interest.


3. The event, hosted at the CMR, was organized as an intimate,
informal opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet and learn about
the program. Ambassador Yovanovitch and Dr. Danielian delivered
remarks highlighting the special calling women have to support and
promote the careers of other women. Dr. Danielian noted that the
mentoring program embraces the best of American and Armenian
traditions, stating that America has a legacy of grassroots support
for women and consciousness-raising. She reminded the audience that
Armenia had women serving in its first parliament before American
women had the right to vote. She urged women in the crowd to
"recapture that spirit" and "break through the glass ceiling."
Ambassador Yovanovitch remarked that she had benefitted from many
excellent mentors throughout her own career. She said that women
around the world are meeting the challenges they face by working
together. She stated, "Women represent over 50 percent of Armenia's
population and Armenia needs every woman's talent, courage and
strength. No country can afford to ignore half of its human
capacity." She noted that the advancement of women is the
advancement of all citizens.

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Enthusiasm for Mentoring
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4. Press extensively covered the launch of the mentoring program
and included several print outlets, a society magazine (Yerevan
Magazine),and Armenia TV. Armenia TV interviewed several mentors
and mentees, and conducted a personal interview with the Ambassador
which was featured twice during international news broadcasts and
reached a potential audience of more than three million people. A
press release and information packets for print and online press
further highlighted the launching.

5. Mentors and mentees were enthusiastic about the event. One
aspiring choir director mentee said she had found her "perfect
match" in a prominent musician. Another gushed to a newspaper
journalist that the initiative was "excellent, one of a kind." A
development specialist mentor told a PAS representative, "I couldn't
believe it when I was invited to participate. I was so honored.
This is exactly what Armenia needs! Now it will be up to us to make
sure we fulfill our commitment."


6. While participants are encouraged to develop mentoring
relationships on their own terms, the Public Affairs Section will
continue to provide logistical support to AUA in organizing upcoming
mentoring events, including panel discussions, roundtables, and
other activities that promote mentor/mentee interaction. The
program is an important step in promoting women's issues in Armenia
and is key to an overall Mission focus on the promotion of women's
rights and welfare.

Yovanovitch