Azernews.Az

BAKU – Equal rights for women are often not enforced, and joint efforts are required to resolve the problem, an Azerbaijani lawmaker has told the Council of Europe parliamentary assembly.

"For realization of the guarantees given and practical implementation of existent high theoretical values, we have to join our efforts and concur," Sahiba Gafarova, a member of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, told a recent debate on women’s leadership in economic and social areas of life.

Speaking on behalf of the European Democrat Group, she said that nowadays the European Council as well as the organizations declaring protection of human rights and encouragement of democratic values as their priority are concerned with violations of democratic rights in a number of countries.

"At present, gender equality as one of the fundamental human rights is enshrined in many principal international documents. Actually, in international law women are considered a particular subject and are provided with broad guarantees to enjoy and implement their rights."

Gafarova said it must be taken into account that realization of the declared equal rights fails in many cases because of "absence of real equal chances".

The MP noted that the European Council and its member states possess sufficient experience with regard to elimination of these problems. Simply, "adequate will and persistence" is needed, she said.

"For this purpose women should be given more rights. Enhancement of their representation in all spheres of life, particularly in such traditional spheres as education and health, taking efficient advantage of women’s potential in economic and social spheres will enable to attain more significant successes and achievements."

Gafarova also briefed PACE on the measures undertaken in Azerbaijan to promote the activity of women in social, political and economic spheres of life.

"As you know, it has been for 20 years now that Azerbaijan is an independent state. Despite this fact, within such a short span of time, from the historical point of view, this statehood has gained significant successes in all spheres as well as in terms of human rights and freedoms. Reforms implemented in our country in various fields, measures taken towards the promotion of the activity of citizens in formation of civil society gave rise to enhancement of significance of women in our society."

According to Gafarova, Azerbaijani women are currently active in every sphere of public life. The areas where women constitute a majority are public health (78.6%), education (71%) and culture (75%). Besides, in public health women hold 37% of managerial positions, in education the figure is 44%, and in culture and tourism it is 23%. Currently, there are 3 women who are full-fledged members and 12 women who are associate members of the National Academy of Sciences.

"This is a good proof to that specific care rendered by the Azerbaijani government for improving the opportunities for women, promotion of women’s activity in society and generally improving their lives."

Gafarova said that recently, women’s contribution to the adoption of political and public decisions and their involvement in the economic field have significantly increased.

"It is obvious that this has been achieved due to the measures implemented. The Azerbaijani government is taking different stimulating and encouraging steps for women to improve their potential in the economic sphere."

Gafarova said the allocation of loans for women to establish their own business and the involvement of women to fill various vacancies are just some of the steps taken.

"On the other hand, the government has implemented measures for women in rural areas to start their farming business. I hope that such measures may be positive experience in the settlement of problems under consideration."

The lawmaker said that finally, terrorism threatening global security, the threat posed by regional conflicts, violations of women’s rights in developing or undeveloped countries, women becoming the victims of human trafficking and their isolation from society, "need our involvement" to resolve such basic problems.