Women Leadership and Climate-Smart Agriculture: A New Chapter for Armenian Women Farmers
Photo credit: Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment
Armenian women farmers gathered at the House of Culture in Spitak, Lori province, marking a significant milestone in the "Promoting Democratic Participation and Climate-Smart Agriculture in Armenia" project. Funded by UNDEF and led by Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE), the initiative supports women in Kotayk and Lori provinces through leadership development, climate-smart agricultural practices, and active participation in community decision-making.
This was the first of the two workshops for women leaders of 24 settlements of Lori and Kotayk provinces. The initial idea was to train one woman per settlement, however, the project accommodated the request from larger settlements to send more representatives. As a result, 19 women leaders attended the first workshop in Lori province, and 23 women signed up for the second workshop in Kotayk province. The Spitak workshop created a welcoming and inclusive environment, encouraging women to engage in discussions on leadership and climate resilience. Participants enthusiastically asked questions, exchanged ideas, and connected with peers, even joining a dedicated Facebook group to continue collaborating with project experts and one another. Training materials, developed with input from professionals, helped ensure the sessions were practical and impactful.
Photo Credit: Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment
“Leadership is all about believing in a mission and inspiring the others to complete it through shared values and beliefs,” said the trainer Tatevik Hovhannisyan, reflecting on the importance of equipping these women with the tools to lead their communities effectively.
The event also revealed regional variations in women’s leadership across Armenia. In Spitak, women demonstrated strong leadership shaped by a generation that rebuilt resilience following the 1988 earthquake. Conversely, some areas in Kotayk continue to face challenges due to lingering underrepresentation of women in decision-making, with cultural and economic barriers further limiting their engagement. These differences underline the diverse experiences of women in local governance and community engagement. Moving forward, AWHHE will support these women farmers as they build a sustainable network of female leaders in Kotayk and Lori. The 42 trained women representing 24 settlements will connect the project team, experts, and 360 local farmers set to receive climate-smart agriculture training. In the near future, these leaders will also serve on a pilot selection committee to play active roles in implementing 12 agricultural pilot projects, showcasing their leadership and decision-making capabilities.
