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In Armenia women are more likely to experience a physical violence committed by their spouse/partner than sexual violence, National Statistical Service of Armenia (NSS) says in newly released Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16 (ADHS).  

According to the data of the 2015-16 ADHS, 8 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 have ever experienced physical violence committed by their husband/partner, while 4 percent experienced violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. One percent of women have ever experienced sexual violence committed by a spouse/partner, while less than 1 percent of women experienced sexual violence by a spouse/partner in the past 12 months.

The data show that divorced, separated, and widowed women are more likely to report having experienced physical or sexual violence than their currently married counterparts, ever and in the past 12 months.

Women with a basic level of education were more likely to have experienced physical violence than women with more education. The data show that 15 percent of women with basic education have experienced physical violence, with 4 percent experiencing such violence in the 12 months preceding the survey; this compares with 4 percent and 2 percent of women with higher education.

Women in the highest wealth 43 quintile were least likely to have experienced violence, although the relationship between household wealth and experience of violence is not straightforward.

Women in Aragatsotn, Ararat, and Lori regions reported higher levels of physical and sexual violence committed by a spouse/partner than women in other regions. In Aragatsotn more than one-quarter of ever-married women (28 percent) have ever experienced physical violence compared with 0 to 1 percent of women in Syunik and Tavush, respectively.

To note, the 2015-16 Armenia Demographic and Health Survey (2015-16 ADHS) was implemented by the National Statistical Service and the Ministry of Health from December 8, 2015, to April 5, 2016.