The portrait of Zhenya Mayilyan was taken by Nazik Armenayan in Yerevan, Armenia, in June 2026, for the fourth edition of the “Portraits of Strength” photography series.

Why did you become a human rights defender?

I believe I became a human rights defender long before I knew the term even existed.

As a child, I was deeply disturbed by injustice and inequality. Whenever I witnessed someone being treated unfairly, I felt I had to respond. I remember a classmate who was constantly bullied at school. At the time, we did not even use the word “bullying,” but seeing what she was going through affected me deeply. First, I felt compassion; then I felt anger. I often stood up for her and confronted those who were bullying her because remaining silent never felt like an option.

During my university years, I volunteered for several months at Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor. That experience changed my perspective. I met people who were not afraid to speak openly about injustice, regardless of who was responsible. They raised difficult issues objectively and courageously. In the environment where I grew up, that kind of integrity was rare, and I admired it tremendously. It was then that I realised this was the kind of work I wanted to dedicate my life to.

Later, when my daughters were born, my motivation became even stronger. I knew I did not want them to grow up in a society where women have fewer opportunities, face violence, or are expected to accept inequality as normal.

I wanted to help build a country where they—and every other child—could live with dignity, equality, and safety.

When I joined Real World, Real People NGO in 2010, I felt I had found my purpose. My work gave me the opportunity to support people facing some of the most difficult circumstances, defend their rights, and contribute to making our society better. Although I only later came to identify myself as a human rights defender, looking back, I believe I have been one since childhood.

What is the nature of your work, and what challenges do you face as a Woman Human Rights Defender?

I have been working with Real World, Real People NGO since 2010, and today I serve as its Chairperson. Our organisation works with some of the most marginalised communities in Armenia, including people living with HIV, people who have tuberculosis (TB), and people who use drugs. We provide care and support services for people living with HIV and TB, while for people who use drugs we implement harm reduction programmes. Every year, we work with around 10,000 individuals across Armenia.

Beyond providing services, our mission is to empower communities, advocate for their rights, challenge stigma and discrimination, and promote systemic change. We believe that people should not only receive support but also have the opportunity to influence the decisions that affect their lives.

Being a woman human rights defender comes with additional challenges. In many societies, including Armenia, women still have to work twice as hard to achieve the same recognition and influence as men. Human rights work is no exception.

Women defending gender equality or combating gender-based violence are frequently accused of “destroying families,” interfering in private life, or undermining so-called traditional values. These narratives attempt to discredit our work instead of addressing the real problems we are trying to solve.

On a personal level, balancing leadership, advocacy, family life, and motherhood is incredibly demanding. Human rights work rarely ends at the end of the working day. There are long hours, emotional exhaustion, and the constant risk of burnout. At the same time, we often try to protect our children and families from becoming targets simply because of the work we do.

Despite these challenges, I believe that remaining silent would be far more difficult than continuing this work.

What kind of human rights situation in Armenia would you like to see in the next 30 years?

I hope Armenia becomes a truly inclusive, rights-based, and people-centred society where every person’s dignity is equally respected.

I dream of a country where no one is excluded because of their gender, health status, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social background, or any other characteristic. I hope that, one day, we will no longer need to speak about “vulnerable groups” because everyone will have equal access to justice, healthcare, education, employment, and opportunities.

Ultimately, I want future generations to grow up in a society where human rights are not seen as the responsibility of activists alone, but as shared values embraced by everyone.

We also continue to see discrimination, prejudice, and unequal treatment of many marginalised communities. Women, children in vulnerable situations, people living with HIV, people who use drugs, and other excluded groups still require stronger legal protection and more effective implementation of existing laws and policies.

The legal framework alone is not enough. Building a society that genuinely respects human rights requires political will, independent institutions, accountability, and a culture that values equality, dignity, and inclusion.

I remain hopeful that, through the continued efforts of civil society, human rights defenders, and communities themselves, Armenia can move towards a future where every person’s rights are respected and protected in both law and practice.

Do human rights still matter? Why?

Human rights will always matter because every human being is born equal in dignity and rights. Human rights are not abstract principles—they are about whether every person can live with dignity, safety, equality, and hope.

As long as some people enjoy greater opportunities, protection, or freedom simply because of who they are, while others face discrimination and exclusion, the struggle for human rights remains essential.

What is your motivation as a human rights defender?

Defending human rights is not simply my profession—it is my way of making the world a little more just, equal, and safer, especially for women and those whose voices are too often unheard.

About Portraits of Strength

Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) work to protect and advance freedoms while facing discrimination and stereotypes about their role and participation in society.

HRHF’s “Portraits of Strength” photography series honours the vital role that women play in defending human rights, and portrays women human rights defenders from across the Network of Human Rights Houses.

The exhibition, now in its fourth edition, shares portraits taken by local women photographers and tells the stories from WHRDs working on a variety of issues, including the documentation of human rights violations and alleged war crimes, rule of law, women’s rights, political prisoners, freedom of expression, and more.

Find out more here.