Armenia - November 2024

As of 25 November, the cabinet of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has the highest women’s representation in the country’s history, with over one-third of ministerial portfolios being held by women. The change came after Pashinyan forced six ministers to resign on 18 November, citing his dissatisfaction with reforms to the country’s judiciary and law enforcement bodies. In 2019 the country had only one female cabinet minister. A gender quota for the National Assembly that passed in 2020 contributed to women’s representation in Parliament rising from 22.7 per cent in that year to an all-time high of 36.4 per cent as of 2024. The appointments are not without controversy, as critics allege Pashinyan is only attempting to burnish his image ahead of elections due to be called sometime next year. 

Sources: Eurasianet, Radio Azatutyun