Seda Papoyan, a RFE/RL Armenian Service journalist in the Yerevan bureau, won a "Silver Microphone" award in a prestigious competition aimed at covering the achievements of women in political, economic and social spheres. The second annual Na/Ne (S/HE) contest was organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Yerevan and the British Council.
Over 70 media outlets took part in the contest. A jury composed of representatives from the media industry and gender organizations selected winners in a range of categories including best TV, radio, print and online entries, as well as the best advertisements and blog posts.
"A key challenge in Armenia is that the skills and talents of women are not fully utilized. It is thus very important that the media raises awareness of the roles that women can play in public and economic life to help move Armenia forward," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE office in Yerevan, at the awards ceremony, held on February 2.
Seda’s story for Radio Azatutyun profiled a group of four young Armenian women who organized a bicycle trip from Yerevan to Batumi and back. The women are artists and activists who planned the tour in order to call attention to the changing role of women in Armenian society and also to show that bicycle travel can be an environmental means of transportation. The women hope to ask the authorities in Yerevan to install bicycle lanes in the city center and are planning another tour in 2010 from Yerevan to Istanbul.
The British Council Director in Armenia, Arevik Saribekyan said: "'The British Council is committed to the principle of equal opportunity; we believe that the achievements of women should be equally recognized and promoted. The contest acknowledges media professionals who contribute to this process."
Over 70 media outlets took part in the contest. A jury composed of representatives from the media industry and gender organizations selected winners in a range of categories including best TV, radio, print and online entries, as well as the best advertisements and blog posts.
"A key challenge in Armenia is that the skills and talents of women are not fully utilized. It is thus very important that the media raises awareness of the roles that women can play in public and economic life to help move Armenia forward," said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE office in Yerevan, at the awards ceremony, held on February 2.
Seda’s story for Radio Azatutyun profiled a group of four young Armenian women who organized a bicycle trip from Yerevan to Batumi and back. The women are artists and activists who planned the tour in order to call attention to the changing role of women in Armenian society and also to show that bicycle travel can be an environmental means of transportation. The women hope to ask the authorities in Yerevan to install bicycle lanes in the city center and are planning another tour in 2010 from Yerevan to Istanbul.
The British Council Director in Armenia, Arevik Saribekyan said: "'The British Council is committed to the principle of equal opportunity; we believe that the achievements of women should be equally recognized and promoted. The contest acknowledges media professionals who contribute to this process."