ZOYA TADEVOSYAN: "A WOMAN'S ACTIVITY IS MOSTLY INVISIBLE TO SOCIETY"
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
March 7 2014
7 March 2014 - 10:04am
Interview by Susanna Petroyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Ahead of International Women's Day, Ph.D. (Economics), tutor of Yerevan
State Economic University, a member of the Board of the opposition
Armenian National Congress, Zoya Tadevosyan, told Vesrtnik Kavkaza
about the role of women in socio-political life.
- Do you think there is a trend of a growing role played by women
in socio-political life?
- I think so. However, I believe it is an artificial approach to
separate and emphasize the role and place of women in socio-political
life. The role played by women has two forms - direct and indirect. The
main activity of a woman, i.e. raising children, is invisible
to society. Meanwhile, the worldview of this or that generation
significantly depends on the socio-political position, intelligence
level, education, the attitude toward the world and the family of those
who raised the generation. Often the role of a woman is considered as
her direct participation in political and social life. However, this
is a wrong approach which down-grades the significance of a woman's
role, as her huge work which is made behind the scenes is ignored.
- What skills are included in the image of a female politician?
- The main feature is discipline. It is demanded in reaching success
in any sphere. Discipline is in first place, then - responsibility and
honesty. However, these qualities are important for all politicians,
their sex notwithstanding. I dealt with studies of economic development
of several countries and concluded that only disciplined nations
which put responsibility for the state higher than personal interests
and prosperity achieve big successes in development. A politician's
successes, whether it is a man or a woman, depends on his or her
responsibility and honesty. I don't understand those politicians
who close their eyes to falsifications, robbery and speak about
high ideals.
- In recent years there has been a decline in the birthrate in
Armenia, the number of divorces is growing. Aren't these trends
a challenge for the institution of the Armenian family, which has
always been firm?
- I have always thought that an Armenian family is "a light at the
end of the tunnel" which can play a buffer role in any regression
or our defeat. A traditional strong family gave us an opportunity
to live today. The trends that you have mentioned are a consequence
of hard socio-economic conditions. And if it continues, tomorrow the
situation will be normal for an Armenian family.
Moreover, Western approaches interfere in our notion of a family,
when people don't want to create big families and prefer to enjoy life.
Probably these ideas influence an Armenian family. At the same time,
such approaches turn to be universal all over the world.
Vestnik Kavkaza, Russia
March 7 2014
7 March 2014 - 10:04am
Interview by Susanna Petroyan, Yerevan. Exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
Ahead of International Women's Day, Ph.D. (Economics), tutor of Yerevan
State Economic University, a member of the Board of the opposition
Armenian National Congress, Zoya Tadevosyan, told Vesrtnik Kavkaza
about the role of women in socio-political life.
- Do you think there is a trend of a growing role played by women
in socio-political life?
- I think so. However, I believe it is an artificial approach to
separate and emphasize the role and place of women in socio-political
life. The role played by women has two forms - direct and indirect. The
main activity of a woman, i.e. raising children, is invisible
to society. Meanwhile, the worldview of this or that generation
significantly depends on the socio-political position, intelligence
level, education, the attitude toward the world and the family of those
who raised the generation. Often the role of a woman is considered as
her direct participation in political and social life. However, this
is a wrong approach which down-grades the significance of a woman's
role, as her huge work which is made behind the scenes is ignored.
- What skills are included in the image of a female politician?
- The main feature is discipline. It is demanded in reaching success
in any sphere. Discipline is in first place, then - responsibility and
honesty. However, these qualities are important for all politicians,
their sex notwithstanding. I dealt with studies of economic development
of several countries and concluded that only disciplined nations
which put responsibility for the state higher than personal interests
and prosperity achieve big successes in development. A politician's
successes, whether it is a man or a woman, depends on his or her
responsibility and honesty. I don't understand those politicians
who close their eyes to falsifications, robbery and speak about
high ideals.
- In recent years there has been a decline in the birthrate in
Armenia, the number of divorces is growing. Aren't these trends
a challenge for the institution of the Armenian family, which has
always been firm?
- I have always thought that an Armenian family is "a light at the
end of the tunnel" which can play a buffer role in any regression
or our defeat. A traditional strong family gave us an opportunity
to live today. The trends that you have mentioned are a consequence
of hard socio-economic conditions. And if it continues, tomorrow the
situation will be normal for an Armenian family.
Moreover, Western approaches interfere in our notion of a family,
when people don't want to create big families and prefer to enjoy life.
Probably these ideas influence an Armenian family. At the same time,
such approaches turn to be universal all over the world.