Strengthening the Azerbaijani family by woman’s empowerment

The evolution of human society over the centuries has witnessed a change in the structure of the family. New forms have emerged to meet the requirements of new social structures. The mere concept of family itself has continuously changed as well. Nowadays, there are many different types of families facing various challenges and opportunities; and therefore, it is not possible to define what a typical family is for any society.

Some would argue that women’s lives and roles have been transformed and that this transformation is the main force behind re-shaping the family model. In previous times, women were expected to remain in their distinct place in society, which was known as the "women's sphere." The "men's sphere" was the larger public world of work and politics outside the home. The "women's sphere" was the private world of the family and the home guardian.

Generally speaking, Azerbaijan is not an exception in these spheres. Although economic changes are reshaping society and family - and the way of living may have changed - the Azerbaijani family is inclined towards patriarchy. In terms of expectations from men and women, stereotypes about male and female roles and society's thoughts concerning women's equality and emancipation have failed to change significantly.

According to the UNDP’s Azerbaijani Human Development Report 2007 (NHDR), women’s participation and representation in politics and civil society is far from sufficient. Although the number of women engaged in three types of activity, (namely rendering of healthcare and social services, education and other communal services) was higher than those of men, overall female unemployment is higher than for males and the average monthly wage for women was significantly lower in all areas.

While Azerbaijani men and women have equal rights and freedoms according to Article 25 of the Constitution of the Republic, women remain under-represented at all levels of decision-making. Azerbaijani men for years have held the key positions at all levels of power. According to the State Statistical Committee, in the Parliament of Azerbaijan (Milli Mejlis), for example, thirty years ago almost 40% of MPs were women. In the current Parliament seating, there are only 14 females compared to the 111 male MPs. Women also remain underrepresented in law enforcement agencies, although progress continues to be made.

Although the women of Azerbaijan are relatively well represented in the educational system, significant gender prejudice still exists when it comes to women’s educational development, and the gap is particularly strong at the level of higher education. According to the latest statistics, only 88 women receive the doctor of science degree compared to 880 men who receive this degree, a ratio of one to ten. Although half of the registered scientists in Azerbaijan are women, only three women have managed to break through the glass ceiling to become full members of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Science, while 12 are still hitting their heads on that ceiling as Associate Members.

Issues related to gender equality are scarcely covered in depth by the mass media in Azerbaijan. Programmes for women concentrate more on their domestic work or beauty, and commercials serve to maintain the existing gender stereotypes, said the UNDP’s NHDR 2007. Although there are no official statistics on women’s employment in the media sector, it should be noted that a number of highly professional shows are prepared and hosted by women. At the same time, their representation remains generally limited. For example: TV programme commentators are predominantly men, while women particularly work as reporters.

According to the UNDP’s NHDR 2007 findings, there is “a strong need for state and NGO action to help the Azerbaijani family adapt more egalitarian gender relations without necessarily violating the strength and solidarity of family relations, so that each individual can fully develop and participate in their public roles.”

The United Nations and its family of organizations are engaged in a vast array of work that touches every aspect of people’s lives around the world and in Azerbaijan as well. The office of the UN Department of Public Information (UN DPI) in Baku, while partnering with various strata of Azerbaijani society on a variety of issues, especially praises those actively involved in issues such as women’s rights and human rights in general.

Prior to International Women's Day 2008, the main focus of a variety of activities in Azerbaijan was to involve local media in raising awareness within the society regarding family values, the role of women as a main cell in the family and society, working towards changing the existing stereotypes, and introducing women as equal partners within the family and in the professional world.

In line with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the Day that calls for the public and private sectors to step up investment in programs that empower women, the UN DPI teamed up with the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs and Gender Equality and the Woman’s Initiative Public Union in launching a media competition on the theme, “A formula for the perfect family – traditional values and modernization”.

Since women are the pillars of the family, the competition among Azerbaijani journalists started on the eve of the International Women’s Day and will be concluded by the International Day of Families. Interconnected by its nature, those UN observances aim to strengthen the family by women’s empowerment.

“We would like to draw attention to the challenges and perspective of the modern Azerbaijani family and shed more light on the role of men in sharing responsibilities around the house, family care, education and some negative occurrences such as early marriages and domestic violence,” said Ms. Hijran Huseynova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs of Azerbaijan.

Noting that “without a doubt, gender equality in accessing and pursuing education can contribute to eliminating gender inequality, forming more egalitarian inter-family relations, and increasing women’s participation in social life through their empowerment,” Ms. Huseynova called on journalists “not to hunt for a big stir in order to involve a larger audience, but to put into perspective the current situation within Azerbaijani families.”

Briefly touching upon the multi-year campaign to intensify action to end violence against women and girls launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in February 2008, the UN DPI Representative Ms. Envera Selimovic emphasized the importance of raising the awareness of Azerbaijani society on the situation among rural women, and the importance of journalists as messengers.  

Sharing with journalists her experience of visiting the Sabirabad, Mingechevir, and Barda regions, Ms. Selimovic noted: “There are many women of Azerbaijan who have it all, many who are getting there, but there are also some that live in desperation and need you to shed light on those places where grudges and grievances flourish.

So, while there are so many multifaceted stories to be told, do not forget the women in rural areas and remote villages…

“They may need your voice the most.”