Armenian parliament considers changes to domestic violence law
For two weeks now, the Armenian press has been flooded with news about a bill banning virginity testing. The ban would classify virginity testing, a controversial physical exam used to determine if a girl has had sexual relations, as an act of violence. It is part of a broader package of amendments that aims to strengthen Armenia’s current domestic violence law. The bill has gained widespread attention on various social platforms in Armenia, sparking debates over the preservation of national values.
On February 7, the bill passed its first hearing in the Armenian National Assembly. The purpose of the draft law, according to its authors, is to increase the effectiveness of the prevention of domestic violence and protection of victims. According to the proposal, the existing law will be renamed “On Prevention of Domestic and Household Violence, Protection of Persons Exposed to Domestic and Household Violence, Restoration of Family Unanimity.”
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Armenia is at an existential crossroads, with its enemies (Azerbaijan and Turkey) stronger than ever and its two allies (Iran and Russia) increasingly reluctant to become involved.
And the Armenian Parliament… is preoccupied with virginity testing.
I think this testing is inaccurate and silly… but banning it only makes a statement that encourages promiscuity and deviance. Armenian society is weakening every day. I think the Armenian psyche has been broken.
Virginity testing is a relict of patriarchial social control of women and associated with notions of shame and dishonour. This is not the same as examination in suspicion of rape or underage sexual activity. Domestic violence is universal a scourge of society and thrives on the principle of dishonour and shame.
Armenia isna failed state because Armenians are politically illiterate and out of touch with reality. The last 30 years proved beyond any doubt that Armenians are not ready for nor deserving of independence. The quicker Armenia gets absorbed into Russia the batter.
@Gurgen, what’s Russia got to do with this, comes across as trolling as the article is on a social domestic issues that aren’t particular to any nation?
An anti-domestic violence bill inclusive of LGBT couples erodes the “traditional Armenian family, the union of a man and a woman”?
I rolled my eyes so hard that I could’ve restarted the second reactor at Metsamor. Pretending that LGBT+ people don’t exist won’t make us disappear.
ARMENIA’S WOMEN MUST BE PROTECTED FROM GETTING BATTERED BY THEIR ARMENIAN HUSBANDS. PERIOD! CUT THE BULL CRAP! REAL MEN DON’T HIT WOMEN. ARMENIA MUST ALSO BAN ALL SEX-SELECTIVE AND ALL GENERAL ABORTIONS. PERIOD. AT A TIME WHERE ARMENIA’S POPULATION IS SO LOW THAT IT IS A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK, ARMENIA NEEDS EVERY SINGLE BIRTH OF A NEWBORN BABY IT CAN GET! ARMENIANS IN ARMENIA! HAVE LOTS AND LOTS OF BABIES!!! PROTECT ARMENIAN WOMEN AND ARMENIAN GIRL BABIES!