(Re)Imagining March 8: AUA Celebrates Women’s Day with Week-Long Events

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YEREVAN, Armenia – From March 2-6, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) celebrated International Women’s Day (March 8^th) with a week-long series of events, talks, and presentations. The program, organized for the first time at AUA, was a campus-wide initiative that involved students, AUA staff, faculty, and many members of the public community. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Center for Student Success played a large role in its success.

At a kick-off reception in Akian Gallery, AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian shined light on an interesting statistic regarding women at AUA: “From the very beginning of our university, the number of female students has been much larger than male students. I think we are an institution that empowers women, providing them with an education and an environment where they can gain self-confidence and critical thinking abilities. We hope that they then go out and take leadership positions and change society for the better.”

The aim of the program was to suggest a new discourse and perspective about March 8^th and its traditions. Throughout the week, departments across campus contributed their own interpretations of what March 8^th means to them. The AGBU Papazian Library showcased a book display about Armenian women, and the Artbridge Bookstore sold a collection of books written by and about Armenian women. Similarly, the Artbridge Bookstore and Akian Gallery displayed handmade arts and crafts by female AUA staff, faculty, and students, including canvas artwork by the AUA Undergraduate Canvas Art Club.

Other events included workshops on self-defense and street harassment, a film screening of Finding Zabel Yessayan, and a panel discussion on ‘Women Voicing Resistance: Armen Ohanian and Shushanik Kurghinian.” Each event provided the AUA community with a new perspective on the discourse about women’s issues and concerns, raising awareness about a wide range of topics.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

The Artbridge Bookstore and Akian Gallery displayed handmade arts and crafts by female AUA staff, faculty, and students, including canvas artwork by the AUA Undergraduate Canvas Art Club.

The AGBU Papazian Library showcased a book display about Armenian women.

The Artbridge Bookstore sold a collection of books written by and about Armenian women.