October 1 is observed in Armenia as the National Day Against Domestic Violence, a day to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, raise public awareness, and reaffirm the importance of prevention, accountability, support, and justice.
This year, the Women’s Fund Armenia is supporting five initiatives that approach domestic violence from different perspectives. The funded projects explore how violence shapes women’s experiences of home and public space, challenge the normalization of abusive behaviour, highlight the stories of women in local communities, create spaces for public remembrance and accountability, and use cultural expression to strengthen solidarity against violence.
Together, these initiatives contribute to a broader conversation about domestic violence and the social conditions that allow it to persist, while making women’s experiences, resistance, and collective strength more visible.
1. “A Feminist Account of the Home” Architectural and Feminist Research Project — Aghunik Ter-Stepanyan
The project A Feminist Account of the Home examines the relationship between domestic space and gender-based violence, focusing on how violence transforms women’s movement, behaviour, sense of safety, and use of space within the home.
Building on the earlier A Feminist Account of the City project, it explores the invisible work women undertake to maintain their safety, including anticipating danger, avoiding certain spaces, monitoring sounds and movements, and adjusting their daily routines.
Through research, architectural plans, movement maps, and visual panels, the project aims to make these often invisible spatial and behavioural effects of violence visible.
The final work will present domestic spaces not only as physical environments, but also as spaces shaped by fear, vigilance, restriction, and adaptation. It will be accompanied by a brochure connecting the project with previous research on women’s experiences of safety and freedom in public space.
2. “Change Your Choice” Violence Prevention and Accountability Campaign — New Culture of Justice
“New Culture of Justice” organization works to prevent gender-based and domestic violence and promote gender equality and justice through research, public awareness, and innovative prevention approaches.
Through the project “Change Your Choice,” the organization will launch a public campaign focused on shifting conversations around domestic violence from the responsibility of survivors to the responsibility of those who use violence.
The campaign will address perpetrators and people who may recognize controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviours in themselves, emphasizing that violence is a choice and that different choices are possible.
Through 8–10 visual materials and/or short videos, a thematic podcast, and media publications and interviews, the campaign aims to challenge norms that justify or normalize violence, promote accountability for abusive behaviour, and encourage non-violent relationships.
The campaign will also use an intersectional approach, recognizing that women experience violence differently and have unequal access to safety, information, and support.
3. “10 Women of Berd” Photo Stories — Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation
The Berd Women’s Resource Center Foundation works to support women in the border community of Berd through social, educational, health, agricultural, and tourism development initiatives.
Through the project “10 Women of Berd,” the organization will highlight the stories and contributions of ten local women who have played significant roles in protecting women’s rights, supporting survivors of violence, saving lives, and challenging patriarchal stereotypes.
The project will involve young women volunteers in selecting and interviewing the featured women, followed by the creation and publication of ten professional photo stories. The stories will be shared online and presented as a permanent exhibition at the Berd Women’s Resource Center.
The initiative aims to increase the visibility and public recognition of local women, provide young girls with positive role models, encourage intergenerational dialogue and women’s solidarity, and strengthen community awareness and intolerance toward domestic violence.
4. Candlelight vigil for remembrance and change — Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women
The “Coalition to Stop Violence Against Women” is a network of civil society organizations working to prevent and eliminate violence against women, protect women’s rights, and promote gender equality in Armenia.
As part of the project, the Coalition will organize a peaceful public candlelight vigil at Swan Lake on October 1, dedicated to remembering women who have lost their lives to domestic violence and femicide.
The event will highlight the “overlooked chain” of domestic violence, including connecting survivors, systems, and accountability, and will bring together civil society, human rights organizations, journalists, and representatives of state institutions.
A printed analytical report on femicide in Armenia will be distributed to participants and media representatives, alongside information on support hotlines.
Through public action and media engagement, the initiative aims to raise public discussion around domestic violence and femicide, emphasize accountability, prevention, and access to justice, and encourage dialogue between civil society and state institutions.
5. “I Put Yogurt to Set on the Field” — “WE” Youth NGO of Lori Region
The “WE” Youth NGO of Lori Region works to empower women and young people and promote gender equality, inclusion, and meaningful participation in community life.
Through the project “I Put Yogurt to Set on the Field,” the organization will reinterpret the traditional Armenian women’s “Matsun” dance as a contemporary feminist public performance symbolizing women’s solidarity, mutual support, and collective response to domestic violence.
On October 1, the National Day Against Domestic Violence, at least 50 women and young people from Lori will perform the reimagined dance in Vanadzor’s Hayk Square, drawing on the traditional formation in which dancers support one another through physical contact.
The initiative will combine cultural heritage with a feminist public message, challenging gender stereotypes and emphasizing that women should not face violence or isolation alone.
Through dance rehearsals, the public performance, and a short awareness-raising message, the project aims to make women’s collective strength visible in public space and promote solidarity and community intolerance toward domestic violence.
