Each woman with a disability matters in inclusive and non-discriminatory Armenia

“Agate” Rights Defense Center for Women With Disabilities NGO was founded by Karine Grigoryan in Gyumri in 2007.

The Organization contributes to the exercise of the civil, socio-economic, educational, health and cultural rights of girls and women with disabilities in Armenia through advocacy, information dissemination, awareness raising and cooperation. During its 16 years of operation, the Organization has implemented more than 80 local, national and international projects that have contributed to the exercise of the rights of girls and women with disabilities and have had a positive impact on more than 10,000 beneficiaries (persons with disabilities, their family members, state and local government representatives, representatives of disabled and human rights civil society organizations, media representatives, orphanages, universities, colleges, professional guidance centers, schools, other institutions and individuals providing healthcare services). One of the most important advocacy tools of the Organization is research and publications: guidelines, information booklets, manuals, books, dictionaries, video and audio discs, audio books, films, social ads, etc. “Agate” organization was the first in Armenia to translate and publish the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Health Manual for Women with Disabilities. It developed the first electronic dictionaries of Armenian Sign Language, as well as Armenian-American Sign Language. One of the key initiatives of the Organization is the construction of the first inclusive playground in Shirak region. “Agate” NGO is a member of local, national and international networks and coalitions: Non-Discrimination and Equality Coalition, Coalition to Stop Violence against Women, Council for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adjunct to the Human Rights Defender, etc. The Organization also established the Coalition for Inclusive Legal Reforms involving 16 sectoral non-governmental organizations and 7 individual members. In 2020, at the initiative of the Organization, within the framework of the “Leading for Independent Living” project of the USAID, the “Agate” Independent Living Resource Center was founded which provides free services to people with disabilities of different age groups living in Shirak region, as well as their family members, organizations providing community services, state and local self-government bodies, and non-governmental organizations.