FORMULA FOR SOCIAL BALANCE

The signing of a decree by President Ilham Aliyev approving the National Action Plan for Gender Equality for 2026-2028 is an important indicator of the direction of state policy. This document is not merely a formal administrative act, but rather a strategic roadmap designed to harmonise social relations and strengthen the legal foundation for equal rights and opportunities for men and women in the country.

Institutional hierarchy and responsibility

The State Committee for Family, Women and Children Issues plays a central role in the implementation of this decree. This structure is vested with the powers of the main coordinator, who is tasked with bringing together the efforts of various departments into a single and effective system. An essential component of transparency and accountability is the requirement to submit an annual report to the head of state on the progress of the plan. This underscores the high priority accorded to this issue on the national agenda.

The reality of the gender gap

In order to understand the need for such a step, it is worth taking an unvarnished look at the current situation. Despite the progress made in recent years, Azerbaijan faces a number of structural and mental challenges. One of the most notable issues that remains to be addressed is the wage gap. According to statistics from 2024, the average wage for women in the country was less than 70% of that for men. This is primarily due to the high concentration of female labour in low-paid public sectors, such as education and healthcare. At the same time, there is still a lack of gender diversity in the high-tech and industrial sectors.

Another complex issue is the invisible burden of unpaid domestic work and caring for family members, which traditionally falls on women's shoulders. This can limit their opportunities for career advancement and entrepreneurial activity. Furthermore, entrenched social norms persist in the country's regions, occasionally impeding girls' access to higher education or discouraging them from pursuing careers deemed non-traditional for women. Addressing the issue of domestic violence and enhancing the effectiveness of mechanisms to protect victims is also a significant challenge that must be addressed.

Strategy for change and perspective development

The new National Plan provides comprehensive solutions to the issues at hand. The state is focusing on economic incentives and education. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the availability of financial resources for women operating in the small business sector. Furthermore, it is expected that they will play an active role in self-employment programmes. A key element will be the integration of educational programmes on gender equality in universities, which will help to shape a new perception of professional roles among the younger generation.

Analytical control, monitoring and prospects

The mechanism for monitoring the quality of implementation of the measures deserves special attention. The Centre for Economic Reform Analysis and Communications is involved in the monitoring and evaluation process. The involvement of a structure specialising in in-depth analysis signals a shift towards a pragmatic management approach. The state recognises gender equality as a key component of sustainable growth, and the effectiveness of each initiative must be substantiated by concrete data.

The promotion of this plan opens up new horizons for the development of human capital. It establishes conditions under which the potential of every citizen can be fully realised, regardless of gender. The long-term success of the initiative will depend on the coordination of state institutions and the readiness of society to accept qualitative changes in the country's social architecture.