Zoya Tadevosyan: “A woman’s activity is mostly invisible to society”

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.