Afət Ziyadqızı
Anna Hakobyan, the wife of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, has drawn higher education institutions into her public campaign against domestic violence in the country. According to Hraparak, a mass signature drive has been organized at leading Armenian universities in support of legislative amendments proposed at Hakobyan’s initiative.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the publication said large campaign banners had been put up in university buildings, asking people whether they considered stricter legislative measures against domestic violence necessary.
According to the report, the management of Yerevan State University of Economics formally asked students and staff to join the signature drive. A similar campaign is also being conducted at the American University of Armenia, the report said.
Hakobyan launched her public awareness campaign against domestic violence in July last year, after a video was released telling the story of a woman who had experienced abuse. She later organized a series of interviews with people affected by violence.
According to official statistics presented by Hakobyan, 1,444 women contacted support centers for victims of domestic and family violence in Armenia in 2025, and 79 of them were placed in specialized shelters.
During the same period, authorities opened 1,768 criminal cases involving domestic violence. Among the 388 defendants named in cases sent to court, 261 were the victims’ legally married spouses, 34 were their civil partners, and the rest were other family members.
Domestic violence is addressed through a combination of legal protections, support services and public awareness efforts. Shelters and specialized support centers provide assistance to victims, while campaigns such as the one reported by Hraparak aim to encourage discussion and support for legislative measures.
