Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova has taken part in the 2^nd Asian Women’s Forum held in the town of Bukhara of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

In her speech at the Forum’s opening ceremony, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova praised highly the initiative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to establish the Asian Women’s Forum as a permanent platform of regional dialogue and co-operation, and said that the topic of the Forum reflected a very important principle. According to her, investing in women is investing in sustainable development, social solidarity and long-term stability. The Speaker remarked that empowerment of women is not purely a social issue anymore. Rather, it has become a strategic priority underpinning sustainable development, economic endurance and social stability.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis observed that women’s extensive engagement in political, economic and social life leads to the emergence of stronger institutions, a more inclusive development and better consolidated societies.

Remarking upon the Asian Region’s important role in the modern global system, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova emphasised that the population of Asia, its economic potential and diversity make it one of the main driving forces behind global development and international progress. In this relation, the Speaker of Parliament touched upon the immense significance of regional and international co-operation. As she put it, exchange of experience and advanced practices as well as co-ordinated policies are essential for the achievement of our common goals.

Whilst informing the event participants of the Azerbaijani women’s active role in the life in the country, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova declared our country’s resolute support for the international co-operation aiming to encourage women’s involvement in all the facets of social life. She said that empowerment of women and promotion of gender equality fall amongst the substantial state-policy priorities in Azerbaijan. Women in Azerbaijan are active in the political, economic, academic and cultural life and occupy elevated positions in state authorities, diplomacy, education and public administration. The Speaker of the Milli Majlis pointed out that the extensive public and political activities of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva reflected the Azerbaijani women’s considerable input in the advancement of our society and country. The Speaker remarked that the endeavours of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva as the First Vice President and an acclaimed public and political actor plays a leading role in the realisation of the tremendous initiatives in education, health care, culture and social prosperity. Her activism demonstrates vividly the ever growing role of women in the public life of Azerbaijan and serves as a bright example of women’s leadership at the highest tier of public administration.

Addressing then the measures taken to perfect the gender-related legislation in our country, the Head of the Azerbaijani Parliament emphasised the great importance that the Milli Majlis attaches to forming the gender policy. She said that women’s representation in the Milli Majlis had increased yet more since the parliamentary elections of 2024 and that they currently play an active role in parliamentary committees including in governing positions. Azerbaijan has developed a meaningful legal framework to protect women’s rights legislatively and to ensure there are equal opportunities. The adoption in 2006 of the Gender Equality Law was one of the milestones on that path. According to Sahiba Gafarova, that law created the legal basis for providing women and men throughout the country with equal opportunities. Women today constitute, one might say, half of the employed population in Azerbaijan. Their participation in business, education, science and the digital economy is constantly on the rise.

It was also indicated in the speech that women in Azerbaijan contribute importantly to the post-conflict restoration and rebuilding in the liberated territories, in Garabagh. Women are actively involved in the process of social, economic and institutional reintegration in those territories in keeping with the national priorities and the Great Return Programme, and are playing a significant part in the restoration of the infrastructure, revival of social life and promotion of the erstwhile internally displaced people’s safe reinstatement.

Having pinpointed, amongst other things, women’s contribution to the strengthening of long-term restoration and social consolidation in the areas of education, health care, public administration and local economic development, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova stressed that women’s active involvement in the restoration process generally reflects Azerbaijan’s approach to the post-conflict development. Human capital including women’s role is considered one of the key factors behind sustainable restoration and lasting development, she said.

The Speaker of the Milli Majlis reiterated in conclusion of her address that investing in women constitutes the foundation of sustainable development and long-term stability in our societies. A stronger international co-operation and steady political will are going to take on importance, as progress is made, in ensuring that women realise entirely their potentials as equal participants and leaders in the formation of a more inclusive, peaceful and sustainable future.

In their speeches at the opening ceremony, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva, Speaker of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbayeva, Speaker of the Majlis of Turkmenistan Dünýägözel Gulmanowa, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund Diene Keita, Head of the UN Geneva Office Tatyana Valovaya and the others pointed at the significance of the event and the relevance of the topics tabled, and wished the Forum success in its work.

The Press and Public Relations Department
The Milli Majlis