Report on women`s rights in Azerbaijan heard at European Parliament
The report was prepared by the experts of the Belgium-based International League for Protection of Women`s Rights.
The presentation of the report held at the Brussels Office of the European Parliament was attended by chairman of the Council Azay Guliyev, Chairperson of the State Committee on Women, Family and Children’s Problems Hijran Huseynova, MP Malahat Ibrahimgizi, member of the Council Rena Mirzazadeh, female members of the European Parliament, honorary speaker o the Belgian Senate Anne-Marie Lizin, President of the International League for Women’s Rights Annie Sugier, employees of the Azerbaijan’s embassy in Belgium and other officials.
The 50-page report narrates on the active participation of Azerbaijani women in the country’s political, social, economic and cultural life.
Opening the event, European Parliament’s UK member, women`s rights advocate Julie Ward spoke of the successes in safeguarding women’s rights in Azerbaijan. She said that Azerbaijan is a member of the Eastern Partnership Program. According to her, women’s rights are of great importance for the European Union in human rights protection. For this reason, experience exchange with other the Eastern Partnership member countries would be important.
Speaking at the event, Azay Guliyev said that the Council bolsters each year some 50 projects related to gender equality, trafficking in human beings, fight against forced labour and others. He pointed out that Azerbaijan is the state, which protects rights and freedoms of women. According to him, women`s large representation in the society and state bodies is of great public significance. Azerbaijan granted female suffrage in 1918 well ahead of such countries as Belgium, France and USA. The government of Azerbaijan is currently puts all necessary measures in place to enhance the women’s role in the society.
Guliyev said the activities of first lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva is a role model, adding Azerbaijani women take an active part in state building.
Guliyev also said that hundreds of thousand women suffered as a result of the Armenia`s aggressive policy, of all the IDPs and refugees some 300 thousand are women. He underlined that of 4049 missing and held captive, 17 are young girls, 247 women. Their rights must be restored.
Chairman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children problems Hijran Huseynova touched upon the progress achieved in Azerbaijan in protecting women`s rights. According to her, the government makes every effort to strengthen gender equality in the country.
MP, founder of the Female Leaders Public Union Malahat Ibrahimgizi spoke about the progress achieved in the gender policy in Azerbaijan. She mentioned the increasing role of Azerbaijani women in decision-making, parliament and municipalities.
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