International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8. This day is an expression of the struggle for women’s rights. Since ancient times, women have been considered the basis of the family among Armenians.
The goddesses Anahit, Astghik and Nane played an important role in ancient mythology. Moreover, Anahit was one of the main goddesses, the daughter of Aramazd. After the introduction of Christianity, the cult of women was expressed in the image of the Mother of God. In ancient times, we had women kings: Erato, Parandzem, Zapel. It is also known that the wives of kings also played a certain role in Armenian courts. According to modern conceptions, the activation of the social and political role of Armenian women began in the 19th century.
The establishment of girls’ schools in predominantly Armenian cities contributed significantly to this. Women’s social activity was more active in Western Armenia, where two women, Srbuhi Vahanian and Zapel Asatur, were particularly well known among active social women at the end of the 19th century. Many women took an active part in the Fedayi movement that started in Western Armenia. The most famous of them are Sose, the wife of the leader of the fidea Aghbyur Serob, Yeghso, a loyal soldier of Gevorg Chaush, the fidea woman Hay-Armenia, Miss Satenik Matinyan, Maro Makarian, Sato Ohanjanyan, Kilizar, Sasuntsi Shake, Miss Mariam Chilingaryan…
President of Western Armenia Armenag Aprahamian said on this occasion: “Dear women, on behalf of the Republic of Western Armenia and myself, I warmly congratulate you on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
I wish you to play a greater role in the state and public life of our country. By your presence and involvement, you positively change the atmosphere in all arenas, making it more caring and tolerant, more constructive and productive. With your charm, you make our lives more conducive and meaningful. And we will do our best to make you happy and content.” You can watch the report prepared by Western Armenia TV on our YouTube channel.
