March 7, 2009 - 16:50 AMT
Not men but Armenian mentality shut the door on politics for women
The role of a woman politician in Armenia will be less acceptable than that of a public figure for years to come. '' There's no incompatibility between a woman and politics, yet upon comparing political and social spheres in Armenia, we'll find women are more actively involved in social work rather than political parties,'' the first woman politologist, Candidate of Politology, ESU Associate Professor Hasmik Shapahatyan told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.


According to Hasmik Shapahatyan, women make great leaders, yet Armenian mentality closed the doors to politics to them. ''Deeply rooted patriarchal stereotypes prevent women themselves from electing woman candidates.''

''The family should be the first to support a woman. She will overcome any difficulties if supported by her family in the work she loves,'' Mrs. Shapahatyan emphasized.