MEETING IN OSHAKAN VILLAGE WHITHIN THE FRAME OF THE PROJECT "ACTIVE WOMEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ARMENIA".

On the 6th of June, in Oshakan village of Aragatsotn region, a meeting was held with the representatives of Asian Development Bank of Armenia- Jeremy Stickings Senior Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development) of Safeguards and Social Development Unit and Ketevan Chkheidze the gender specialist/ consultant for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the members of Armenian Young Women`s Association and with the active women of Oshakan and Ashtarak, within the frame of the project “Active Women in rural communities in Armenia”.
During the meeting the issues were discussed concerning village problems and the barriers that people meet engaged in agriculture. As the essential and urgent solution requiring village problems, the participants emphasized the absence of jobs, the high level of unemployment and as a result of latter emigration of the population, especially men, and the absence of sport and other entertainment centers for Youth and Children.
They mentioned that there are no favorable conditions for starting and developing their own business. Financial resources are insufficient and the banks provide loans with high interest rates, very high mortgage, there are no places for the consumption of products.
“We are very grateful to all those, who turn their face to the village and try to help the people of village, understanding how difficult but very important work they are doing”: said one of the participants, the president of “Village Woman” NGO, Vera Grigoryan ,who is engaged in the production of dried fruit.