7th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Equality between Women and Men entitled “Gender equality: bridging the gap between de jure and de facto gender equality”
7th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Equality between Women and Men entitled “Gender equality: bridging the gap between de jure and de facto gender equality” started May 24 at Gulustan Palace, Baku.
Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, addressed the opening ceremony.
Address by Mehriban Aliyeva:
Ladies and gentlemen!
Dear guests!
I would like to begin my speech by greeting all participants and guests of this conference. I am very delighted that Baku hosts a lot of international meetings and conferences dedicated to the important problems and challenges of the modern world. This event paves the way for the dialogue and exchange of global experience concerning the gender equality. I express gratitude to the Council of Europe for deciding to hold this conference in Baku and I believe the active position and specific strategy of Azerbaijan on gender equality is one of the major reasons why this conference is being held in Baku.
This conference is of big importance. Equality of gender and rights is the most important part of democratic society. The main achievement of 20th century is that we have managed to change the values and principle guidelines of the society. Significance of gender problem is completely recognized in different countries and the process to remove false stereotypes is underway. Radical changes happened in the world in 1960-70s in attitude of people towards women.
From 1975, UN organized 4 global conferences in Mexico, Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing on women’s status. These conferences were very successfully held and served paying much more attention by international community to gender inequality.
A number of developed countries in Europe enjoy rich experience in field of formation of the successful national policy on eliminating gender inequality and establishment of real social equality between men and women. Women in the European society participate in all spheres of life - in business, financial sector, military issues. Paying special attention to solution of problems, women take active part in politics too.
Despite some progresses, much more should be achieved. A number of resolutions and decisions have not been fulfilled yet. On one hand, gender equality is of huge significance in modern European society, on the other hand, the progress could be greater.
Azerbaijan has gained a number of successes in women’s rights protection. 20th century can be regarded as a new stage in the life of women. As the first democratic republic in Muslim East, Azerbaijan entitled in 1918 women to elect and be elected. It happened before a number of Western countries. After our country restored independence in late 20th century, women acquired new opportunities. Women partake in all spheres in modern Azerbaijan. They are represented in administration, law enforcement and judicial bodies. They are involved in business, participate in political and public processes.
Huge achievements have been obtained in women’s political and public activities. The number of women elected to the municipalities rose 7 times in 2009 in comparison with 2004. Almost half of state officials and scientific workers are women. Majority of doctors and school teachers is women. All-republican forum is held in the country every 5 years to discuss women’s role and position in society. All these achievements indicate to the positive and optimistic future.
There are serious problems in Azerbaijan in field of gender relations and women’s status in family and society. Governmental and non-governmental organizations are concerned about it. After the first years of restoration of independence, Azerbaijan was a victim of Armenian aggression, resulting in violation of rights of a million of Azerbaijani citizens, including women's rights, occupation 20 percent of Azerbaijani territories. Nearly half of our citizens rendered refugee and IDP by the Armenia-Azerbaijan, Daghlig Garabagh conflict is women. Access of IDPs to education, medical help and creation of normal living conditions should always be on the agenda of not government only, but of international organizations as well.
Another problem we are concerned about is domestic violence. Even in most developed societies women undergo different forms of violence. Azerbaijan is not excluded. It is very difficult to get a clear reflection on this issue. However, any single violence against women and children is unacceptable.
It is immoral to use our traditions and mentality to justify the abuse of women in the family. Women have traditionally been much respected in the Azerbaijani society. Family values have been and are the most important and precious values in our society. The mother is the most respected person for the Azerbaijanis.
Reading of the bill on domestic violence at Milli Mejlis has been completed. I am sure this law will soon be adopted. Regarding legislation, I want to mention sometimes laws aiming to provide equal opportunities to citizens do not guarantee the same opportunity for men and women. It means having the civic rights is just a part of the issue. Another important point is how they are realized. This is an additional sphere we will work.
We may have various suggestions and visions on gender equality and to harmonically assure that. It would be naivety to think of removing any inequality between men and women in society upon a platform or action plan only. All researchers consider irrespective of religion and political structure women of different societies have largely depended on men since the beginning of civilization. Today, the world has come to the level of development, where everything is changing. Successes in changing the situation depend on a number of political, public, social, religious and moral factors. But in the end, everything depends on us – men and women living in this planet.
In early XX century, Simone de Beauvoir wrote: “When individualization of man gets stronger, his need for individualization becomes greater, and sooner he will confess the right of his woman to individualization and freedom”. The real independence of man is assured when that freedom, independence and opportunities are possessed by woman too.
If the state and fate of woman in modern society is defined mainly by men around her, those men have been brought up by women. That is to say, using her creative potential, a woman – the personification of moral values – will suggest a new model of gender equality to the universe.
In conclusion, I express my gratitude to everyone for active position and contribution in this affair. I wish you success and hope you will be pleased of visiting our amazing city.
Thank you for attention.