Ombudsman participated in the conference on “Gender Equality and Media”

Council of Europe (CoE) organized an international conference jointly with the Ombudsman Office, State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs and Press Council on “Gender Equality and Media” on the 70^th anniversary of the CoE and the centenary of women’s suffrage in Azerbaijan.

The Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova, members of the Milli Mejlis, representatives of the Office and other state bodies, international organizations, NGOs and mass media attended the event.

In her speech, the Ombudsman expressed best wishes to the CoE in the person of the Head of Office in Azerbaijan, pointed that establishment of the Ombudsman institution was linked to the CoE.

It was stated that special projects, regional events are held targeting different categories of women.  Up to 700 proposals, including those for women, were submitted to state bodies; more than half of them were provided.

The Ombudsman also organized roundtables and trainings for journalists and NGO representatives on “Gender Equality and Media” in regions.

The Commissioner noted that in order to reach the gender equality target of SDGs, any abuse against women or children must be eliminated in accordance with the CEDAW Convention, national legislation or individual practice of each country.

She also noted that our women enjoyed voting rights from 1918 thanks to the equal suffrage granted in the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.  

The Ombudsman has put forward proposals and recommendations on conducting trainings for political careers of women; promoting gender-sensitive attitude; development of women entrepreneurship; increasing leadership capacities; raising social awareness on equal participation of women and men in public life; elimination of women’s economic dependency and exploitation; building cooperation between women NGOs and state bodies; setting regional shelters for victims of abuse etc.

The Ombudsman institution has also jointly acted with the Azerbaijan Women and Development Center, the only women NGO of our country having consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

At the end, the Commissioner called everybody for joining the movement of cooperation in this area. The conference continued with speeches of other guests and interactive discussions.