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Women today have a cautious and negative attitude towards the idea of abortion, so they are trying to prevent unwanted pregnancy, said Head of Maternal and Reproductive Health Department of Ministry of Health of Armenia Gayane Avagyan during a press conference.

Avagyan said that any woman has a right to abortion when 12-weeks pregnant. When women apply in need of help for the first time, they are given 3 days time to think it over and discuss with families and husbands. This period will psychologically affect women and maybe change their decision.

“If the reasons for abortion are socio-economical problems, women are being told that the situation will not change in a year. If it is a gender-selective abortion, we try to understand why they want to do it. When they say that they want a boy, for they will continue their family line and look after them, we answer that girls can do that no worse,” said Gayane.  

According to Avagyan, 72% of elderly in nursing homes have more than one son, yet only 40% of them have daughtes.

“Girls are more cautious, they don’t leave their parents,” she said.

In the meantime, according to research, sons visit their parents rarely, when girls care for them more.

“We should give significance to the role of women. Just like men, they are full members of society. 57% of people with higher education are women. Women use the laws, take all opportunities, we should just give significance to their role,” concluded Gayane Avagyan.