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Karine Vann
Karine Vann is a former editor of the Armenian Weekly. A musician who was deeply affected by the poverty and environmental degradation she observed living in Armenia from 2014 to 2017, she now covers topics at the intersection of consumerism and the environment for local and national publications as a journalist. In addition to writing for the Weekly, her work has appeared in Dig Boston, The Counter, Civil Eats and Waste Dive. To supplement her writing, she has worked in jobs traversing the Greater Boston area's food economy, from farming to fair trade spices. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and anxious beagle, Rasa.
Latest posts by Karine Vann (see all)
- A Nation, Distracted - January 7, 2020
- PODCAST: Exploring the Gray Area in Armenian Politics - August 6, 2019
- PODCAST: A Conversation with Journalist Stephen Kurkjian - June 5, 2019
Please sign this petition and send a strong message to the Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan. Strong steps are needed to combat domestic violence. Laws that specifically criminalize DV are by far the most effective deterrent.
Annette was definitely instrumental in initiating the change.org petition after a strong backing and support from the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA)an organization that has for the past 26 years been at the forefront of dealing with women’s issues while others remained silent concerning gender issues and domestic violence… a taboo subject for Armenians.
Gender issues such as this are a black eye for Armenia. The reluctance of the government to admit that women are human beings deserving of the same rights and protections as men are a reason why Armenia refuses to allow the diaspore to have any voting privileges or independent minister from the diaspora in the government.
As long as the diaspora continues to send money, the government will feel no pressure to change and women wil, continue to suffer.
The diaspora must use its economic leverage. Aid individuals only. Don’t send money where the oligarchs can skim off the top.
I applaude Annette Moskofian for donating her time and knowledge for this cause .We , all diasporans , should get involved in this domestic violence issue . I live in Los Angeles and I witnessed a coworker coming to work her face all black and blue saying that she was hit by her husband . This is unacceptable in any country let alone USA. Women should live without fear in the family , they should live with dignity .
Thank you Annette!
As a father of 2 beautiful daughters I shudder at the thought of women being beaten by their spouses, and the change of laws in Armenia cannot come soon enough. Another law that denies girls of any heritage is also archaic. However, USA today with their issues like, racism, gun laws that cause the death of over 12,000 people a year, capital punishments (only western country in the world), policies of destroying other countries and killing millions in the process, is hardly a shinning example to follow.
Please refrain from using your criminal country as a reference of justice.
The problem is global,not only in Armenia,there is no simple solutions,Perhaps finding a way to make the men feel stupid when they use violence,serves.
In Europe it is more than 25%,in USA more worse ,the UN secretary in 2006 said
“Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten”.
Please DO NOT SIGN this petiton. it is the begining of destroing family which is the most important for people.
Please sign the petition and do not hide this issue behind ‘family values.’ Violence against women by their husbands (and in laws; mother in law) must stop. Beating, dehumanizing and hurting women cannot be and should not be considered Armenian ‘traditional’ ‘family’ values. Domestic violence destroys families and not just individuals.
The people who are destroying families are the ones who beat their wives and children like animals…. I hope when they pass the law it will not stay on paper only, it has to be enforced by the law.
Sorry to read some “pathetic concerns” above. There are many more acute problems in Hayastan and so called ‘domestic violence’ is not on top of the list…helpless elderly who have helped to be the present day country riches are almost starving…soldiers in the army…children…those are the 3 milestones that we all have to protect…youth remaining without jobs and leaving the country…university level educated having no access to earning money to support their families…prostitution has been a phenomena that was traditionally strange to us…shall I continue the list hayrenakitsner? Many of you have perhaps been to Hayastan as guests but never resided here to know the hardships and humiliation of a standard armenian man who has a family but no job…do not try to spoil family roots, this is NOWAY a bill to go for…FYI by law women here are able to claim assistance from police. nice laws are plentiful yet remain on paper. This law if adopted shall open the Pandora box…be watchful…it does not protect us, women of Hayastan, but opens doors for for legalization of other “unprotected” layers of the society. I am sure those who have signed the ‘petition’ do not want this to happen…
Well, we can say what we like about other pressing problems in a country where apparently corruption is rife and wealth distribution is far from what it should be. We know unemployment can cause all sorts of problems, from depression to crime and so on… It is a sad fact but not unique to Armenia alone. It is not however to be used as an excuse to beat up your wife or kids or kill them because she/they said something that happened to annoy you or hurt your feeling! A lot of it is due to stupid old traditions based on so-called ‘man’s pride’, and lack of proper education with regard to building a good family unit in which members of the family are respectful to each other. Respectful, but not fearful. So, it is a complex situation where lack of things like income, education, social security, affordable health and welfare are causing serious mental issues culminating in domestic unrest and violence. The government has a lot to answer for and although its main duty is the welfare of its citizens, those in positions of real power are interested mostly in the welfare of their own families, not the public’s. Selfishness, jealousy and greed combined with a position of power is the biggest obstacle in the way of achieving an acceptable level of comfort and happiness for any nation. How can this status quo be improved? Because, obviously this style of ‘democracy’ is not working well. Revolution? Does anyone have the right answer?
HE SMACK ME, BEAT ME, AND PULL MY HAIR
AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM DIDN’T EVEN CARE
HE ABUSE MY BODY AND CRUSH MY SOUL
BUT THIS IS A STORY SO MANY OF US HAVE TOLD
I CRIED OUT FOR JUSTICE BUT IT WAS NOWHERE AROUND
NOT EVEN WHILE HE WAS BEATING ME DOWN
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM COULDN’T HEAR MY CRY
BECAUSE A WOMAN VOICE CAN’T REACH THAT HIGH——A SILENT CRY!