Rights Side NGO participated in the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

The team of Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO was in New York from March 9 to 19 to participate in the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), one of the most significant international platforms for advancing gender equality and women’s rights.

Participation in the session, along with the meetings held, provided an opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with international partners and decision-makers, raising key issues faced by the trans LGBIQ community in Armenia and the region, including systemic discrimination, cases of violence, limitations in legal protection, and the lack of adequate state response.

Within the framework of the session, team members held meetings with representatives of international organizations, donor institutions, partner NGOs, and activists to discuss both the current situation and potential areas of cooperation aimed at strengthening legal protection mechanisms, enhancing community safety, and ensuring more effective use of international support.

During the visit, the team participated in more than 40 meetings, discussions, and panel sessions, presenting a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced in the field. These discussions contributed to the establishment of new partnerships as well as the strengthening of existing collaborations.

The President of the organization, Lilit Martirosyan, held separate meetings with representatives of various country delegations, presenting the situation in Armenia and the region, and highlighting ongoing discrimination against trans and LGBIQ activists, cases of violence, and significant gaps in protection mechanisms.

As a result of these meetings, a number of foundations for future cooperation were established, along with agreements on continued dialogue and joint actions aimed at ensuring the protection of the rights and safety of the trans LGBIQ community.

Right Side Human Rights Defender NGO will continue its consistent advocacy work, combining local expertise with connections built on international platforms to achieve systemic change.