WOMAN'S PLACE

On the eve of International Women's Day on 8 March, Baku hosted a significant event as part of the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty conference themed Promoting Women's Participation. The importance of this forum, organised by the State Committee on Family, Women, and Children's Issues, was underscored by the participation of government representatives, deputies, public figures, and members of civil society.

Investing in Women

Why is the issue of women's advancement so crucial in the context of Azerbaijan? The answer lies not only in the pursuit of fairness but also in its role as a key driver of socio-economic development. Studies reveal that countries with high levels of female participation in the economy experience more sustainable growth. When women work and occupy leadership roles, the nation's GDP rises. Societies where women enjoy equality are less prone to violence, corruption, and instability, paving the way for social equilibrium. Women's involvement in politics and governance fosters more balanced decision-making.

Moreover, women are more likely to reinvest their income into their families, enhancing children's education, healthcare, and overall societal well-being. This makes women pivotal in the fight against poverty. Gender equality cultivates a more inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities for self-realisation, advancing democracy and justice.

Research also shows that companies with more women in leadership roles make better and more sustainable decisions. Promoting women's advancement sets a powerful example for future generations, inspiring girls and young women to pursue leadership, education, and active participation in public life.

Thus, gender equality is not merely a human rights issue but a strategic resource for societal progress. Investing in women is an investment in the nation's future.

Gender Law

Azerbaijan has enacted several laws to ensure gender equality and protect women's rights. The cornerstone of these efforts is the Law on Ensuring Gender (Male and Female) Equality, adopted in 2006. Its aim is to eliminate all forms of gender-based discrimination and create equal opportunities for men and women in all spheres of life. As part of amendments to the Labour Code in 2022, the number of professions prohibited to women was reduced from 674 to 204, significantly expanding their employment opportunities across various sectors. Additionally, Azerbaijan ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1995 and its Optional Protocol in 2001, reaffirming its commitment to international standards on women's rights.

In December 2024, draft laws were prepared to further strengthen gender equality. These initiatives introduced new rules regarding women's involvement in business trips, overtime work, and work on non-working days, particularly for pregnant women and mothers with children under 14 or with children with disabilities. These measures contributed to a 7% increase in Azerbaijan's gender equality index in the World Bank's ranking, reaching 85%.

Despite these legislative efforts, gender inequality remains a challenge in Azerbaijan. Persistent stereotypes about women's roles in society and weak enforcement of laws continue to hinder full gender equality. While Azerbaijan has made significant strides in gender legislation, effective implementation and overcoming cultural barriers require further action.

Bahar Muradova, Chairwoman of the State Committee on Family, Women, and Children's Issues, informed the conference about plans to submit a report on the implementation of the Law on Ensuring Gender Equality to the Milli Majlis in May. She emphasised that the report is currently being prepared: "The State Committee has gathered information on the work carried out by the relevant parties over the past year and is now processing it." The report will include comprehensive statistical data, details on upcoming steps, and future goals. According to Muradova, Azerbaijan is making serious efforts to enhance women's participation in all aspects of public life.

"Women worked alongside men to create and improve the Constitution of Azerbaijan. To ensure the rule of law, particularly in gender equality, surveys are periodically conducted, and discussions are organised. Innovations are regularly introduced in the activities of institutions responsible for promoting gender equality. Women and men should equally participate in and contribute to the life of society and the family," the head of the State Committee emphasised.

Women in Azerbaijan

All speakers at the conference highlighted the importance of women's active participation in various spheres of society and the need to create conditions for their equal representation. Azerbaijan continues to make significant efforts in this area, providing women with opportunities for professional growth and active engagement in public life.

In this regard, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection Anar Karimov stressed the need to ensure equal pay for men and women in the same positions. He cited the example of Scandinavian countries, where equal pay has been legally mandated since 2018. Karimov also proposed introducing incentive measures, such as tax breaks for companies appointing women to senior positions.

"There are approximately 500,000 women employed in the public sector and 350,000 in the private sector. Men and women have equal conditions and opportunities in employment, and significant steps are being taken to bridge the wage gap between genders. Over the past two years, 700 employers in 14 regions of the country have been sensitised to gender equality issues," he said.

Aygun Aliyeva, Executive Director of the State Support Agency for Non-Governmental Organisations, noted that around 40% of the approximately 4,000 registered NGOs in Azerbaijan are led by women. Additionally, 55 projects have been supported through special grant competitions aimed at combating domestic violence and discrimination against women. Since its establishment in 2021, the agency has funded 194 projects addressing various women's issues.

Sahib Mammadov, Chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan, revealed that more than half of trade union members, 52.3% to be precise, are women. "Various programmes aimed at improving the social well-being of women are being implemented. Respecting and protecting their rights is our shared duty. We will do our utmost to increase their participation in social and political life," Mammadov said. He added that Azerbaijan was the first country in the East to grant women the right to vote.

According to Aynur Osmanova of the General Prosecutor's Office, 524 of the 2,300 employees in the country's prosecutor's office are women, representing 22.7%. Of the 1,310 prosecutors, 127 (9.7%) are women, and of the 990 prosecutors working in the public service, 40.1% (397) are women.

Women in Science

One of the most significant achievements in strengthening women's roles in society is their active participation in science, education, and culture in Azerbaijan. This is hardly surprising in a country where Zeynalabdin Taghiyev, a renowned Azerbaijani oil magnate of the early 20th century, famously said: "By educating one boy, you educate one person; by educating one girl, you educate an entire family." This sentiment is reflected in data shared by Elchin Babayev, Rector of Baku State University, at the conference "Girls' Right to Education". In Azerbaijan, women constitute more than half of those studying at the master's and doctoral levels, contributing significantly to the development of science.

"Globally, 35% of students in computer science, mathematics, technology, and engineering are girls, while in our country, this figure reaches 40%, exceeding the global average," he noted. This demonstrates that women's participation in scientific research and management aligns with modern requirements.

According to Babayev, the state has created ample opportunities for citizens, including girls and women, to access affordable and quality education, acquire professions, and contribute to human capital through their knowledge and skills.

Of the 24,739 students enrolled at Baku State University, 16,641, or 67.2%, are women. This year, 5,414 students were admitted to the university, of whom 3,803, or 70%, are women. "In the last examination session, the success rate among female students was approximately 20% higher than among male students," the rector added.

The conference Advancing Women's Participation underscored the importance of women's active involvement in various societal spheres and the need to enable their representation through mechanisms promoting gender equality, including legislative initiatives and employer incentives. Participants agreed that promoting women to leadership positions and ensuring equal pay are essential for sustainable development and prosperous societies.

Azerbaijan must continue to develop effective strategies to achieve genuine equality between men and women. In the face of global challenges, women's leadership is becoming a crucial factor for stability and progress. It is evident that without the active participation of women in politics, business, and the social sphere, achieving societal success and harmony is impossible.

The key is to ensure that these discussions translate into tangible initiatives that influence state policy. It is our hope that, on the eve of 8 March, such events are not merely platforms for discussion but significant steps towards real change in the status of women in Azerbaijan, particularly in areas where progress is most needed.