“Hayern Aysor”’s correspondent sat down for an interview with researcher at UCLA Rubina Peroomian, who holds a PhD in Armenian language and literature and was one of the participants of the 7^th International Conference of the Armenian International Women’s Association.

Rubina Peroomian: This conference not only brings Armenian women of Armenia and the Diaspora closer together for the implementation of future programs and cooperation, which has been the result of the previous conferences, but also helps them express their thoughts and concerns about various issues, including issues related to history, society and literature. At the same time, women of the Armenian Diaspora learn about the issues facing Armenian women in Armenia, and women living in Armenia learn about the initiatives and opportunities in the Diaspora.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Peroomian, what role do Armenian women play in Armenia and in the Armenian Diaspora?

Rubina Peroomian: I remember when we used to hold similar conferences 20-25 years ago and would discuss the role of Armenian women in the past and present. We had a different vision and different wishes for the future. I see all that in reality to a certain extent today. The current generation of the Armenian Diaspora today has no problem with men’s and women’s rights. Of course, I’m talking about the reality in America. Out of the countries in the Middle East, I only know about Iran because I’m from Iran. Iran hasn’t had the freedom of America for the past 30 years. Before the revolution in Iran, women played a bigger role in the Armenian community and in the Iranian environment, but that has declined.

Things are different in America. Women have managed to find their place and position in the family and within the community.

We have various women-led organizations. Women have managed to reach the top because of their capabilities, not because they are women. We also have Congresswomen.

During my frequent visits to Armenia, I’ve noticed that women in Armenia still haven’t reached that level, and it all starts from the family. Armenian women must first be appreciated by their families and then pave their way in society and within the community.

Alongside all this, I’ve also noticed the emergence of a new generation of women in Armenia for whom success has nothing to do with gender. They have wishes, dreams, aspirations and they achieve them without thinking that they can’t do it because they are women. This is a complexity that the women of our generation had. Let me bring up an example. I’m a member of the Armenian Educational Foundation, and when we would give scholarships to students, 90 percent of them were girls. I also had the opportunity to talk to the alumni who were already very self-confident, and most of them are already members of international organizations and are trying to take that path to success. They are the future of Armenia. The successes they achieve will be Armenia’s successes. Sometimes we use new and accepted words to motivate the girls, telling them that they are the future of Armenia and that they are going to lead the country, but there is truth in those words.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Peroomian, your three volumes are devoted to the study of the Armenian Genocide in fiction. Why did you chose that field?

R. P.: The study of the Armenian Genocide in fiction has been the path of my life. By analyzing and presenting it in English, I have tried to show the world what really happened. I have great faith in fiction. I’m not trying to document the genocide. It has already been done. For me, the Armenian Genocide is a fact and the starting point for what I’m doing.

I think fiction is more communicative and provides the opportunity to have a better understanding of the Armenian Genocide, show what happened, and finally, what our claims are.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Peroomian, in your volumes you have reflected on Armenian women. Interestingly, why have you set aside Armenian women and all the trials and tribulations that she has undergone?

R. P.: As a woman genocide scholar, my instinct subconsciously guided me to take that “path” because Armenian women were in a very different situation during the Armenian Genocide. When Armenian men were immediately killed, the agony of Armenian women was prolonged. On the one hand, she fought to defend her family. On the other hand, she defended her honor. As Lawrence Langer says, it was an option that they couldn’t choose. Armenian women had to choose to either die or get married to a Muslim, convert to Islam, give her child to a Turk, and it was unclear whether the child would be saved or not. It was a choice between life and death, which didn’t lead to salvation in any case. Armenian women always faced such choices and had to make decisions on their own.

“Hayern Aysor”: What choices do Armenian women face today?

R. P.: I believe Armenian women face a very simple choice, and that is the choice to simply be a housewife and think that her only obligation is to maintain the household and educate her children. Many women say they already have a great obligation to raise children. But Armenian women have greater potential and shouldn’t be limited to the family, right? Armenian women have to be in society because they can play a huge role and can make quite a big contribution to the development of the country.

“Hayern Aysor”: Mrs. Peroomian, what path did you take?

R. P.: The reality is that if I have succeeded. I owe it to my husband, who is a very liberal person and has always supported me. He put up with me returning to the university when my two sons were already in their teens, carry a heavy burden on my shoulder, study Armenology and write books instead of dedicating my time to my family. He put up with me reading about the Armenian Genocide day and night. He tried to bring me out of that environment like a psychologist so that I could have sound reasoning.

The family should encourage women, and not only the husband, but the children as well. I have noticed that especially Armenian boys look at their mothers and sisters differently when they try to become engaged in society.

First, there has to be equality within the family so that the children can accept that elsewhere.

It’s also important to be diligent and consistent. If I have succeeded ( I don’t know to what extent), I have always been diligent and consistent in my efforts.

Interview by Lusine Abrahamyan