The 2^nd IPU webinar on the parliamentary involvement in the execution of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the accompanying reporting and the steps to be taken was held on 9 December.

Chair of our Family, Women’s and Children’s Affairs Committee Hijran Huseynova and the committee members, MPs Nigyar Arpadarai, Konul Nurullayeva and Sevil Mikayilova joined up alongside the parliamentarians of Turkiye, the UAE, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Morocco, Ukraine, Portugal, Bolivia, Mongolia, Namibia and the other states whose relevant reports had been heard in July and October this year.

Hijran Huseynova talked about the fundamental legal frameworks built in Azerbaijan to enact gender equality as an integral part of the human rights, and to protect the rights of women and children. She referred to the ratification by the Azerbaijani side of the UN conventions, both the above-mentioned one and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Furthermore, the acts ‘On Maintaining the Gender Equality (of Men and Women)’ and ‘On the Prevention of Household Violence’ are made laws in the country where there is a well-shaped state policy on the protection of women’s and children’s rights and the appropriate institutional reforms have been and are being implemented. Mrs Huseynova also underscored the significance of the legislative acts made laws to streamline the existing regulatory frameworks concerning gender equality.

Azerbaijan is broadening the support for girls and women and is furthering the propaganda and enlightenment in order to eradicate gender discrimination and inequality. The crucial nature of family and marriage and the necessity of reinforcing the institution of marriage as such are being driven in home to the youth. The country has equal conditions for all the children and their rights are protected adequately, which includes those children that stand in need of state care: they are provided with social support services, according to the chair of the Azerbaijani parliamentary committee.

Turning to the prevention of household violence then, Mrs Huseynova told of the relevant state action and the adoption of specialist regulatory and legal acts. A list of close to 700 professions and jobs previously unavailable to women is lifted in defence of their rights. On the other hand, there is a list of jobs closed for pregnant women and mothers with children younger than one year. There is also a directory of hazardous substances and factors; the Milli Majlis passed a relevant document.

The Azerbaijani women are represented in all the walks of life and at the loftiest levels, too; the state has made certain this was so, according to Hijran Huseynova.

Nigyar Arpadarai, Konul Nurullayeva and Sevil Mikayilova shared their considerations as well. The Milli Majlis members spoke of the gender equality policy pursued in Azerbaijan, the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the opportunities afforded to them in keeping with the CEDAW and their active involvement in every field.

The Press and Public Relations Department

The Milli Majlis