March in memory of 20-year old woman
Women held a march against violence on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the occasion of the death of 20-year old Zaruhi Petrosyan.
Zaruhi died after a brutal beating by her husband and father-in-law.
The march was organized by the Women's Rights Center, the Women's Resource Center, "Zangakatun" Tufenkian Foundation, Pink Armenia and the Sexual Assault Crisis
Center.
The head of the Women's Rights Center says there has always been violence against women and women must always raise their voices.
"If we close our eyes to that and say nothing like that has happened, nothing good will happen. Even if there are 5-10 cases, it is better for them to not happen at all," said Head of the Women's Rights Center Susanna Vardanyan.
According to leader of "Heritage" Party Raffi Hovhannisyan, there is no place for any type of violence in Armenian society and the march is aimed at raising public awareness about that.
"Our generation must eliminate this," said Raffi
Hovhannisyan.
The participants marched through Mashtots Avenue, Tumanyan and Abovyan Streets and reached the government building where they paid tribute to Zaruhi Petrosyan with a silent candle-lighting. They also handed a letter to the prosecutor with the request to hold a fair trial. Attached to the letter were signatures taken from citizens throughout the march.
The organizers had also organized a fundraiser for Zaruhi's child and hope that benefactors will join them as well. The donations will remain untouchable until Zaruhi's child turns 18 years old.
