HALF OF ORPHANS ARE DISABLED

http://www.a1plus.am/en/social/2011/07/18/lala-ghazaryan
06:38 pm | July 18, 2011 | Social

Half of the children living in Armenian orphanages are disabled,says Lala Ghazaryan, head of the Family, Women and Children Affairs Department at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

"In comparison with foreign countries, parents in Armenia have a biased approach to disability and want to adopt a healthy child," said Ghazaryan.

The Ministry official dismisses the information that foreigners adopt children more easily than locals do.

"Interstate adoption is a much more complicated process than you can imagine," she said.

There are seven orphanages in the republic with 800 children. About 120 children were adopted in Armenia in 2010. Another 551 children were placed into foster care.

"However, these children continue to remain orphans and if they are subsequently adopted by their guardians, they are unable form a normal family in the future," she said.

Lala Ghazaryan, who has worked with orphans for many years, says the best way to improve a child's future is to adopt him otherwise the child will appear in the street.

Married couples cannot adopt a child unless they have a permanent place of residence and steady work. Besides, they should be devoid of aberrations and must not be deprived of parental rights. You cannot adopt a child if you are not married.

SERZH SARGSYAN WISHES LOYAL OPPONENTS TO HIMSELF AT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OF 2013

arminfo
Wednesday, July 13, 14:18

The dialogue between the authorities and the opposition implies involvement of not only Armenian National Congress, but also all the concerned political forces, including the coalition parties. The atmosphere of confidence is very important, and here the efforts of the authorities are not enough. In order to consolidate the atmosphere of confidence, the desire of all political forces is needed, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said in his interview with Golos Armenii (Voice of Armenia) newspaper.

When touching on the elections, the head of the state pointed out that a big role here belongs to the evil tradition, according to which it is almost impossible to suppose that after the elections in Armenia someone will acknowledge the opponent's victory. "There were several presidential elections in Armenia, who of the candidates has ever congratulated his opponent on the latter's victory? The problem is that elections are like backgammon, where it is for the dies, not the voters' confidence to decide. This feature is the main obstacle to formation and consolidation of the atmosphere of confidence. If the presidential candidates conduct their pre-election fight honestly, acknowledge the voting results and congratulate the winner, the people will never say that the elections were rigged", he said. If this becomes a tradition, it will allow forming an atmosphere of confidence in the society.

The Armenian authorities set up a working group of 6 people to conduct a dialogue with the Armenian National Congress, Press Secretary of Armenian President Armen Arzumanyan said on July 9. According to him, the members of the coalition and the Armenian National Congress will meet within the next few days.