Presidential Administration: Azerbaijani women play an important role in civil society

Azerbaijani women made a huge contribution to the development of the civil society, Vugar Aliyev, deputy head of the department on social and political issues of the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration said.

He was addressing a conference on the topic of “Highlighting the issues of family, women and children in the media: achievements and perspectives”.

Aliyev said that achievements of Azerbaijani women in different spheres including politics and science are of great importance for the development of the country.

“Today, we cannot imagine the sphere of journalism without women,” he added.

Women account for a bit more than 50 percent of the population in the country and take very active role in the society. Being the first country in the East that granted women the right to vote Azerbaijan takes measures to strengthen the protection of women’s rights, solve their problems as well as tackle problems connected with gender equality.

Enhancing the role of women in the country's public and political life remains an important task for the country. The country takes steps to promote representation of women in state bodies and to comply with international standards for gender equality. Political, economic and cultural processes that took place in Azerbaijan gave a powerful impetus to the education of women and a more active participation in the public life. The country adopted a number of laws on domestic violence, gender equality, anti-trafficking and the minimum age of marriage.

He also mentioned that the state policy plays an important role in the development of pluralism of opinions which in its turn is essential for the freedom of speech and press. Aliyev said that there is no censorship in Azerbaijan adding that a perfect legislative basis was formed in the country to regulate the activity of media. The country takes steps for ensuring social protection of journalist.

“The government provides housing for journalists. A new building which comprises 256 apartments will be ready soon,” he added.

Addressing the event, chairperson of State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Hijran Huseynova highlighted “the great and glorious” path of development of the Azerbaijan's national press whose history spanned 141 years.

Other speakers included executive director of the State Fund for Support of Mass Media under the Azerbaijani President Vugar Safarli, Deputy Chairman of the National Television and Radio Council Sona Valiyeva, chairman of Azerbaijan Press council, MP Aflatun Amashov.

The event then featured a ceremony to award a group of journalists for their professional coverage of the family, women and children's issues in the media.