I International Symposium titled “The Role of Women in Sustainable Socio-Economic Development” has been held at UNEC (PHOTO)

The I International Symposium titled “The Role of Women in
Sustainable Socio-Economic Development” has been held at UNEC.

The I International Symposium titled “The Role of Women in
Sustainable Socio-Economic Development” has been held at UNEC with
the organization of the UNEC Council of Women Researchers.

The symposium was attended by UNEC Rector
Professor Adalat Muradov, Chairperson of the State Committee for
Family, Women and Children Affairs Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of
the Parliamentary Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs,
Professor Hijran Huseynova, Chairperson of the Board of the
Association for the Development of Women’s Entrepreneurship in
Azerbaijan Sakina Babayeva, as well as university staff members,
women entrepreneurs and other guests.

Prior to the official opening, the participants laid flowers at
the bust of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the monument
dedicated to the martyrs, commemorating their cherished memory with
deep respect.

Opening the symposium with an introductory speech, UNEC Rector
Professor Adalat Muradov noted that the main purpose of the event
was to emphasize the role of women in our lives and in the
development of society. Analyzing women’s contribution to the
economy through statistical indicators, the rector stated that 37
percent of the global GDP is currently generated as a result of
women’s labor: “If women were involved in the production process at
the same level as men, the global GDP would increase by 26 percent,
exceeding even the combined economic output of the United States
and China.”

The rector also drew attention to the role of women researchers
in UNEC’s scientific activity: “In 2025, 33 percent of the 1,120
scientific publications indexed in the Scopus database were
authored by women researchers. Fifty-two percent of these
publications received international citations and accounted for 27
percent of the university’s total citations,” he noted. He also
touched upon the representation of women within the university’s
management structure as well as among the student body.

At the end of his speech, Adalat Muradov put forward an
initiative: “In order to contribute to the tasks assigned by the
President regarding the development of digital technologies and
artificial intelligence during the meeting dedicated to digital
platforms, I propose launching long-term online training programs
on artificial intelligence literacy for women at UNEC,” the rector
stated.

Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and
Children Affairs Bahar Muradova, in her speech, spoke about
effective mechanisms for implementing gender equality in real life.
She emphasized that scholars working in academia serve as exemplary
models for society: “The title of scholar has always been treated
with particular respect in society. In this regard, the position of
academic leaders within the scientific community serves as a model
for society.” B. Muradova also noted that the mission of science is
to generate knowledge for the benefit of humanity and emphasized
the importance of systematically utilizing women’s potential in
this process.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Family, Women and
Children Affairs, Professor Hijran Huseynova, delivered a speech in
which she highly appreciated the extensive opportunities created at
UNEC for women’s activities in the fields of science and education.
Referring to the contributions made by women to the development of
the country, H. Huseynova emphasized the significance of the
Council on Digitalization, established by the relevant decree of
the Head of State.

Chairperson of the Board of the Association for the Development
of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan Sakina Babayeva
emphasized that a strong family model and proper governance
constitute the foundation of a healthy society. She highlighted
that the increasing activity of women both in business and in
social life plays a decisive role in strengthening the country’s
economic potential.

During the event, Chairperson of the UNEC Council of Women
Researchers Nargiz Hajiyeva provided information about the
activities of the council she leads. She also presented UNEC’s
international scientific journal titled “International Journal of
Gender, Knowledge and Social Futures,” dedicated to topics such as
gender studies and the role of women in science, as well as the
book “Seven Portraits of the Land of Fire,” which reflects the
activities of 32 women entrepreneurs.

At the event, students of the UNEC Creativity Center recited
poems dedicated to women.