BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 14. Women in Azerbaijan
make a significant contribution to reconstruction work in the
liberated territories, the Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova said
at the Second Asian Women's Forum in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, a source
in the parliament told Trend.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, Gafarova highly
appreciated the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev to establish the Asian Women's Forum as a permanent
platform for regional dialogue and cooperation, and said that the
theme of the forum reflects a very important principle.
According to her, investing in women means investing in
sustainable development, social solidarity, and long-term
stability. The speaker said that women's empowerment is no longer
just a social issue. It has become a strategic priority for
sustainable development, economic sustainability, and social
stability.
The speaker noted that the greater participation of women in
political, economic, and public life leads to the formation of
stronger institutions, more inclusive development, and more
resilient societies.
Saying that the Asian region plays an important role in today's
global system, Gafarova noted that Asia's population, economic
potential, and diversity make it one of the main factors of global
development and international progress. In this regard, the speaker
highlighted the crucial importance of regional and international
cooperation. She pointed out that the exchange of experience,
sharing of best practices, and coordinated policies are essential
to achieving the common goals.
Informing the event participants about the active role of
Azerbaijani women in the life of the country, she said that
Azerbaijan strongly supports international cooperation aimed at
promoting the role of women in all spheres of public life.
According to her, ensuring women's rights and promoting gender
equality in Azerbaijan are important priorities of state policy. In
the country, women actively participate in political, economic,
scientific, and cultural life, and also hold high positions in
state institutions, diplomacy, education, and public
administration.
The speaker particularly emphasized that the extensive social
and political activities of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan
Mehriban Aliyeva, reflect the significant contribution of
Azerbaijani women to the development of the society and country.
Gafarova said that Mehriban Aliyeva, as the First Vice-President
and a well-known public and political figure, plays a leading role
in implementing important initiatives in the fields of education,
healthcare, culture, and social welfare. She added that activities
of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva clearly demonstrate the
growing role of women in public life in Azerbaijan and serve as a
strong example of female leadership at the highest level of state
administration.
Touching upon the measures taken to improve the legislation in
the field of gender in the country, the speaker noted that the
parliament also attaches great importance to the formation of
gender policy. She noted that after the parliamentary election held
in 2024, the representation of women in the parliament has further
grown, and they are currently playing an active role in
parliamentary committees, including leadership positions.
She said that Azerbaijan has created an important legal
framework for the protection of women's rights at the legislative
level and ensuring equal opportunities. One of the key milestones
in this direction was the adoption of the law "On gender equality"
in 2006. According to Gafarova, this law created the legal basis
for equal opportunities for women and men across the country.
Today, women make up almost half of the employed population in
Azerbaijan. Their participation in business, education, science,
and the digital economy is constantly increasing.
The speech also reported that women in Azerbaijan are making a
significant contribution to the post-conflict recovery and
reconstruction in the liberated territories and in Karabakh. In
line with national reconstruction priorities and the "Great Return"
program, women are actively participating in the process of social,
economic, and institutional reintegration in these areas, playing a
crucial role in restoring infrastructure, rebuilding public life,
and supporting the safe return of former internally displaced
persons.
Noting that women contribute to long-term recovery and
strengthening social solidarity in the fields of education, health,
public administration, and local economic development, Gafarova
highlighted that the active participation of women in the
reconstruction process in general reflects Azerbaijan's
post-conflict development approach. She also said that human
capital, including the role of women, is considered one of the key
factors for sustainable recovery and long-term development.
At the end of her speech, the speaker reiterated that investing
in women is the foundation for sustainable development and
long-term stability in our societies. As moving forward, stronger
international cooperation and sustained political will become
increasingly essential to ensure that women fully realize their
potential as equal participants and leaders in shaping a more
inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future.
At the opening ceremony, the Head of the Presidential
Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva, the
Chairperson of the Senate of the Supreme Assembly of Uzbekistan
Tanzila Narbayeva, the Chairperson of the Parliament of
Turkmenistan Dunyagozel Gulmanova, the Executive Director of the UN
Population Fund Diene Keita, the Head of the UN Office in Geneva
Tatiana Valovaya and others also noted the importance of the event
and the relevance of the topics discussed and wished success to the
forum work.
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