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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Gender Analysis of the refugee crisis in Armenia identifies the diverse needs, risks and capacities of women, men, girls and boys of all gender diversity and explores the gender and power relations among the newly arrived refugees. It aims to inform and support humanitarian and recovery programmes/ responses to address the immediate and midterm needs of the refugee population. It also highlights the challenges faced by the study participants in accessing critical information, housing, health care, mental health support, cash transfers and employment opportunities. The key findings of the analysis are presented below.
Gender roles and decision-making
• Despite the ongoing crisis, traditional expectations regarding the division of labour within the household persist among the refugees. Out of necessity, however, women are increasingly engaged in or seeking employment.
• Women continue to perform the majority of unpaid domestic tasks in addition to any paid work.
• Refugee men face intensified pressure to fulfil their perceived breadwinning responsibilities, as well as the responsibility to find and retain employment to provide for their families, despite the lack of opportunities.
• Women and men recognize the importance of employment (earning income) as a priority, but men additionally see income generation as a way to fulfil their gender roles.
• While women have held more prominent roles in making household decisions on the distribution of financial resources and humanitarian assistance, this is largely a continuation of their role as caretakers and economizers, to make the family’s ends meet. Decision-making patterns are diverse and include joint decision-making, but traditional understandings of male dominance in decision-making remain.
Access to information and services
• Despite the growing importance of online information sources, word-of-mouth remains the primary information source. However, age and gender dynamics influence preferences, with younger women showing a preference for social media and TV announcements.
• While efforts are being made to improve healthcare services, challenges remain, especially for refugees with regard to accessing affordable health care beyond state-provided coverage.
• Mental health issues, particularly stress and depression, are prevalent, with women more likely to seek psychological support. However, barriers such as cost and awareness hinder access.
• Delays and bureaucratic obstacles associated with cash transfers have an adverse impact on refugees’ ability to afford essentials such as housing and health care.
• Meeting the housing needs of the refugee population is a critical factor in ensuring the well-being and safety of all. Overcrowding and a lack of privacy are additional challenges for women.
• Women are actively seeking humanitarian services, despite facing information and accessibility barriers.
• Access to employment opportunities represents a primary need, reported particularly among men. There are still challenges to be overcome, including fraudulent private employment agencies and discrimination, which affect younger individuals and those with disabilities more than others.
Protection
• It is important to note that there is a tendency among women refugees to avoid discussing gender-based violence, especially intimate partner violence. This is largely due to patriarchal norms.
• The risks of exploitation from housing and employment opportunities were highlighted as key concerns.
• Men and women reported feeling physically safe in Armenia. However, any concerns about safety were related to their unfamiliar environments and living arrangements, which also factored into their decision-making about employment, humanitarian assistance and their children’s education.
Coping mechanisms
• Negative coping mechanisms, particularly substance abuse, were identified as a growing issue among men and boys. However, respondents did not perceive these as coping mechanisms.
• Older persons tend to adapt more slowly than the younger generations.
• Refugees’ most commonly utilized coping mechanism is spending their savings.
• Prior hardship endured by the refugees, in particular the 2022/23 blockade of Lachin corridor, has somewhat prepared the population to develop adaptive capacities in terms of their livelihoods, as they had to save and economize to afford food and basic needs.
• Refugees’ physical living conditions and the state of their mental health prevent them from engaging and integrating with their host communities.