YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–"Despite the fact that the government of Armenia’signed the Concept of Improving Women’s Status–our country lacks a strategy of supporting women engaged in business activities," UNDP expert Vahan Asatrian said at the opening of the "Women & Entrepreneurship" workshop in Yerevan on October 13. Women in Armenia are paid less for doing the same work as men–the average wages of women in Armenia is 75 percent of the average wages of men today.
Turkish Small & Medium-Sized Business Promotion Fund President Genul Guvener said that in Turkey women may engage in businesses only with the presence of written permission of her husband. No government support is provided for women commencing in business–only public organizations render similar assistance by organizing consultations and seminars for women.
Business Consulting President Gabrielle Kauffmann said that in Germany there are no structures supporting women engaged in business activities–because "simply in Germany women enjoy the same rights as men."
"There is a program of women’support in Sachsen–where women’starting their businesses are issued non-interest bearing credits amounting to $28,000. But this money is not enough to launch a business in our country–where at least twice as much is required," said Kauffmann. In some regions in Germany women can get four-day consultations free of charge.
Attending the workshop were delegates from Turkey–Germany–Moldova and Georgia. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Armenia and the Conrad Adenauer Fund.