Daniela Draghici
Anush Poghosyan
Anush Poghosyan is graduated from the Department of Psychology and Philosophy of Yerevan State University and received a master’s degree in clinical psychology. During her academic years, she was interested in women’s rights and in particular women’s sexual health issues. Since 2005, she has joined to the “Women’s Resource Center” NGO as a volunteer and since 2008 as an employee of the sexual and reproductive health and rights program. Since 2020, she has been working as the executive director of the organization.
“Women’s Resource Center” NGO is a feminist organization and has been working in the field of women’s rights since 2003. The organization was the only organization in Armenia that addressed the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights since 2003 and raised such important issues as women’s self-determination of their own bodies, the importance of introducing comprehensive sex education, abortion as a fundamental right, access to contraceptive methods and a number of other important issues.
In the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, the organization carries out individual counseling on sexual health issues, implements large-scale awareness programs, as well as implements advocacy work by changing laws and regulations on reproductive rights law.
With the efforts of the organization, the “Reproductive Rights Advocacy Network” was founded in 2017, the purpose of which is to raise the issues of reproductive rights of women living with HIV, women with disabilities, lesbian, bisexual transgender women. As a result of the joint work of the network, training courses for medical workers are being carried out, the aim of which is to increase the sensitivity of medical workers about the reproductive problems of different groups of women.
Erika Schmidt
Erika Schmidt brings over two decades of experience in women’s rights activism, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as broader human rights advocacy. As the Executive Director of the EMMA Association, she has played a pivotal role in developing initiatives that empower marginalized communities, particularly through grassroots movements and advocacy campaigns. Her efforts have included co-founding the Movement for Respectful Maternity Care in Hungary, where she led significant public campaigns to improve maternal healthcare.
Schmidt’s expertise spans advocacy, research, and organizational development. She has spearheaded research projects addressing critical issues such as the sexual and reproductive health needs of refugees across Eastern Europe and has conducted participative studies on maternal healthcare experiences, amplifying the voices of women from diverse backgrounds. Her role in restructuring the EMMA Association and establishing the Hungarian Women’s Fund highlights her skills in strategic organizational management, change leadership, and capacity building.
Erika is recognized for her extensive public engagement, having delivered numerous workshops, lectures, and trainings across Europe. Her focus on activism, resiliency, and intercultural communication has made her a sought-after speaker and trainer in international forums. She is deeply committed to strengthening regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in light of the rising challenges from anti-gender movements. Erika sees the importance of building strong, multi-level advocacy networks and is dedicated to advancing the mission of ASTRA through strategic partnerships and joint advocacy efforts.
Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to inclusivity, open dialogue, and pragmatic problem-solving. She believes in the power of collective action and brings a wealth of experience in national and international advocacy, community-based support services, and building resilient, responsive organizations. As a member of the ASTRA Advisory Board, Erika aims to contribute her expertise to enhance the network’s visibility, strengthen cooperation among member organizations, and advance the shared vision of gender equity and human rights in the region.
