YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–A roundtable arranged by the Council of Co-Chairpersons of Women’s Public Organizations Wednesday addressed problems of the National Army and discussed ways of resolving them.
After a five-day visit to a bordering military unit the women made a decision to develop long-term programs to improve the state of the army.
Ensuring security within the army in peace-time–the inappropriate conduct of officers toward enlisted personnel–a lower level of literacy among soldiers and poor physical training were some of the major issues discussed at this meeting.
Special attention was given to the work of physicians who often accept young men who are not fit to join the army or even have physical disabilities. Social equality among the draftees could also be ensured by amending state service legislation.
It was stated that currently the generals of the National Army were concerned–too–and are making efforts to involve the public sector in the resolution of these problems. Alvard Petrossian of the Armenian Relief Fund reported that she had suggested that Defense Minister Vazgen Sargssian should invite children from orphanages–including girls–for permanent military service.
The chairwoman of the Armenian Republican Council of Women–Nora Hakobian–presented a program providing for cultural events at military units–the establishment of women’s clubs in districts including mothers and wives of officers and soldiers–the participation of such clubs in New Year’s celebrations at military units.
Also attending the roundtable were representatives of the Republican Council of Mothers and Wives of Freedom Fighters–the Union of Intellectual Women–the Union of Soldiers’ Mothers–the Committee of Businesswomen of Armenia.