Driving Change: Women Shaping Armenia’s Industrial Future

The event brought together 92 participants from government, private sector, civil society and development partners to explore pathways for gender-responsive and youth-inclusive industrial development.

Strong Government Leadership

The discussion was led by high-level government engagement, including Araksia Svajyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, andLusine Kocharyan, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. Their interventions underscored the Government of Armenia’s commitment to advancing inclusive economic development.

“Strengthening the alignment between education systems and labour market needs is essential to ensure greater participation of women in technical and industrial sectors,” noted Deputy Minister Svajyan. Deputy Minister Kocharyan emphasized that “ensuring women’s access to decent work requires not only skills, but also supportive social policies and inclusive labour market conditions.”

A Whole-of-System Approach

The event also marked an important milestone as the first UNIDO-led inter-agency initiative in Armenia, bringing together the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNDP, UN Women and UNFPA. This collaboration reflects a shared understanding that advancing women’s participation in industry requires coordinated efforts across policy, education, labor systems, and private sector engagement.

From Education to Industry

A key theme of the discussion was the role of education and skills development. Participants highlighted the need to better connect education systems with labour market demands and to equip women with the skills required for emerging industrial sectors.

Expanding Opportunities Across Sectors

The panel discussion brought together diverse perspectives across key economic sectors:

• Zhanna Harutyunyan (UNDP) highlighted opportunities and challenges for women in non-traditional sectors such as energy and IT.
• Anahit Hambardzumyan (H-Con) addressed barriers women face in the construction sector and the need for more inclusive workplaces.
• Saten Khoshoyan (Melante LLC) shared private sector experience in the textile industry, emphasizing practical steps to support women’s advancement.

Addressing Social and Structural Barriers

The discussion also highlighted the importance of addressing underlying social barriers.

• Lusine Sargsyan (UNFPA) emphasized the role of social norms and inclusion.
• Olga Azatyan (UN Women) provided data-driven insights on women’s participation in industry, pointing to persistent gaps and the need for targeted action.

Looking Ahead

The event concluded with a forward-looking discussion involving business associations, development partners and civil society, focusing on practical steps to strengthen education–industry linkages, expand women’s access to skills and training, promote inclusive labour market policies and address structural barriers to participation.

A Platform for Action

More than a dialogue, the event created a platform for concrete action and strengthened partnerships. As Armenia advances its development agenda, ensuring women’s full participation in industry will be critical to building a more inclusive, resilient and competitive economy.