Jointly with the United Nations Population Fund and National Institute of Health (NIH), we concluded the training course “Preventing Gender-Biased #sex-selection through the health workers’ attitude change and advancement of the consultation skills” in four regions of Armenia.
Conducted in Ashtarak and Gavar, August 17-19, Gyumri and Masis, August 23-25, around 60 obstetricians and gynecologists, family doctors and radiologists from #Aragatsotn, #Gegharkunik, #Shirak և #Ararat marzes acquired new knowledge and skills through a 3-day interactive course based on an educational manual previously developed and tested by an expert group of the National Institute of Health of RA.
“We can confidently claim that the participants perceived and fully realized the importance of the role they’re playing in preventing gender-biased sex selection. They showed willingness to smoothly engage in the fight against sex-selective abortions by providing more effective counseling, as well as supporting community initiatives. In addition, they came up with recommendations to improve the situation,” noted Karine Saribekyan, head of the expert group, Head of Pediatrics Department, NIH.
Armine Aslanyan, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Aparan, confessed that usually she does not like trainings: “However, this was one of those rare cases when I really enjoyed it. It was very informative with live interactions with friends, we heard stories and shared our own, and learned from each other.” To the question whether they succeed in preventing sex-selective abortions in practice, she answered: “Frankly speaking, we have a hard time to convince since it is men who decide for most of the cases, although we do succeed sometimes. I categorically refuse to perform sex-selective abortion, yet, it’s a pain to see that they eventually find someone to do the procedure, often at quite an advanced pregnancy term.”
“We have had a three days of active discussions, communication and open atmosphere. I gained rather valuable knowledge. I am quite well-informed about the topic, indeed, and practice them, however, there were certain approached I was not aware of, sincerely speaking. I am sure I will further practice it and inform my other colleagues as well,” said Aharon Hovhannisyan, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Ararat Hospital.
Hripsik Sukiasyan, a family physician at Aygavan Primary Health Care Center, highlighted the sessions on legislative framework. “My legislative background was quite week, I was not informed about laws, and now that gap was filled for which I am grateful,” she mentioned.
The initiative is implemented in collaboration with the National Institute of Health, MoH, within the framework of the project “Addressing Gender-Biased Sex Selection and Related Harmful Practices in South Caucasus: Support for Regional, National and South-South Interventions.” The project is implemented by UNFPA Armenia in partnership with OxYGen Foundation. The Project is funded by the European Union and the United Nations Population Fund: https://cutt.ly/NCevF1v
We are thankful to Masis Youth Center Gyumri Maternity Hospital CJSC, Gavar City library Ashtarak Municipality for hosting the training.
