April is a month of collective reflection, action, and strengthening solidarity to raise awareness about sexual violence. Throughout the month, diverse initiatives once again reinforce the commitment to ending all forms of sexual violence.
This year, the Women’s Fund Armenia is supporting 5 initiatives within its open call for Feminist Event Funding. These projects were selected from proposals submitted under the April thematic focus. Below are their descriptions:
“Museum of Sexual Violence” – Story Exhibition
The Sexual Assault Crisis Center will organize a public exhibition of stories from survivors of sexual violence, creating a safe and dignified environment where silenced experiences can be shared. The main goal is to break the culture of silence, stigma, and victim-blaming surrounding sexual violence.
In Armenia, sexual violence remains deeply silenced and stigmatized. Public discourse is often dominated by blame, myths, and misinformation. Survivors’ stories are either unheard or misrepresented. This exhibition serves as a cultural and feminist intervention by bringing these stories into the public space.
“Bazaar Women” – Theatre Performance and Discussion
Initiated by Tech Degh, this performance highlights the voices of marginalized Armenian women and uses their stories to shed light on other underrepresented groups.
The project focuses on Armenian women traders who, for decades, crossed the Armenia–Turkey border to earn a living during difficult times, including the collapse of the USSR, the Nagorno-Karabakh war, the Gyumri earthquake, and the blockade. These women often lack formal protection and support, and are frequently criticized or marginalized by their communities.
The 60-minute performances will take place in Yerevan on April 11 and 12, followed by discussions.
“Frozen” – Experimental Electronic Project by Symptom Error
This project will produce a short animated music video exploring the body as a physical, social, psychological, and political space. It is built around the fragmentation of bodily boundaries and its consequences. At the center is a collective figure — a single body that carries memory, holds experiences, and accumulates lived realities.
The work addresses the deeply rooted presence of sexual violence through a layered, alternative language. It speaks about depersonalization, powerlessness, and resistance. It emphasizes that violence is not only an act, but also a normalized ritual, language, and social construct.
“False Narratives about Women: Region to Region”
The Success LadyYouth NGO is organizing a regional tour aimed at challenging false narratives and misconceptions about sexual violence. Activities will take place in Yerevan, Martuni (Gegharkunik region), and mining-affected communities in Lori region.
False narratives are not only challenged by experts, but by women themselves — through their own language and lived experience. Participants share personal stories and reflect on narratives that justify violence. These are then discussed in a safe, non-judgmental environment, focusing on the most deeply rooted myths in each region.
The project raises awareness, challenges silencing cultural norms, and centers women’s voices across diverse geographic, social, and economic contexts.
“azd (announcement)” – Public Art and Digital Initiative
This project combines public and digital interventions. Women artists, particularly those who have experienced social pressure, discrimination, or violence, will express their voices through small-scale 3D-printed sculptures installed in public spaces.
By placing artworks made from recycled materials in visible urban locations, the project reclaims public space as a site for feminist presence and dialogue. In a context where women’s voices are often marginalized, occupying public space becomes both a method and a message.
Each installation will include a QR code linking to a digital platform featuring artist statements, educational content on consent and sexual violence awareness, and contact information for NGOs and crisis support services.
The project is implemented by Suzy Ginosyan, founder of the G.URBAN platform.
