Round Table Discussion on survey findings on “Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) amongst Female Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Armenia” organized by Women’s Rights Center (WRC) was held on December 10, 2008 at Armenia-Marriott hotel.

The survey on “Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) amongst Female Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Armenia” was initiated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Armenia and carried out by the Turpanjian Centre for Policy Analysis at the American University of Armenia with the financial support of the European Commission.

The objective of the Round Table was to discuss the findings of the SGBV survey with all participants and elaborate recommendations to jointly address SGBV among female refugees and asylum seekers in Armenia and to find efficient ways to respond to and prevent sexual and gender based violence in Armenia.
During the Round Table representatives of RA Government, RA Ministry of Justice, RA Police, RA Ministry of Health, RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues, RA Ministry of Foreign Affaires, RA Ministry of Education, the State Migration Agency of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration, General Prosecutor’s Office of RA, Cassation Court, Human Rights Defender’s Office, UNHCR, Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis as well as representatives of other international organizations and local NGOs were present
The President of WRC, Ms. Vardanyan, facilitated the Round Table, organized on International Human Rights Day in the framework of the “16 Days of Activist Against Gender Violence” annual campaign. In her opening speech, she called for active discussions on survey findings and for the joint development of relevant recommendations. After the opening remarks by UNHCR’s Protection Officer, Ms. Grol, and the Project Manager of the Delegation of the European Commission, Ms. Papyan, the representative of the State Migration Agency of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Ms. Aslanyan, presented the RA policy and general situation of refugees and asylum seekers in Armenia. She commented the efforts made by the Government of Armenia to assist the large numbers of refugees and stressed the importance of developing and implementing appropriate actions and plans aimed at eliminating violence against women.

Ms. Dallakyan from the Turpanjian Center for Policy Analysis at the American University of Armenia (AUA), made a presentation of the survey findings on “Sexual and Gender Based Violence amongst Female Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Armenia”. Ms. Ghazaryan, Head of Department of Family, Women, and Children Issues within the Ministry of Labor and Social Issues of RA, presented the Ministry’s attitude and position towards the issue of sexual and gender based violence amongst female refugees and asylum seekers in Armenia, stating that the RA Ministry of Labor and Social Issues elaborated an action plan for 2009 and included projects to assist women including refugee women by establishing shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Ms. Duryan, Deputy Head of 3rd Department of Criminal Investigation of RA Police, in her presentation stressed the importance of raising awareness about gender-based violence. 

Active discussions followed after every presenter's speech and at the end of the meeting participants came up with the following joint recommendations:
1. Initiation of Standard Operational Procedures (SOP);
2. Development of capacity building initiatives;
3. Safe house concept;
4. Coordination;
5. Prevention 
6. Advocacy

The recommendations were addressed to UNHCR for consideration to include in the plan of action to develop long-term strategies, to ensure all SGBV cases to be properly documented, reported and addressed as well as to raise awareness on the issue on governmental level.