As in the whole world, Azerbaijan celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8th. This is an example of respect and respect for the Azerbaijani woman.
In general, special attention was paid to women who are considered a symbol of elegance and beauty in the most powerful Azerbaijan in its history. Throughout history, the Azerbaijani woman was known for her struggle, honoring the honor of the holy mother, took an active part in the socio-political and cultural life of the country, and constantly demonstrated self-sacrifice in the management of the state.
The Azerbaijani woman works hard and responsibly in all the highest bodies of the country and makes valuable contributions. The most striking example of this is first vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva. The first vice-president is also a bright image of the Azerbaijani woman on an international scale, providing unparalleled services in the direction of sustainable development of Azerbaijan, protection of our statehood and national values, and making the happy and prosperous life of our people a life credo.
President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva raises the authority of the Azerbaijani woman both in the country and in the international arena with her comprehensive activity. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva’s comprehensive activity, the mission of kindness, the work done in the field of promotion of our culture all over the world is a real example. The humanitarian projects of Mehriban Aliyeva, which are the embodiment of the country’s “Soft Power” Policy, bring new friends to our country.
Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva’s charitable events cover a number of countries and continents, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, of which she is president, has become an authorized representative of Azerbaijan’s humanitarian and cultural diplomacy for many years, and this activity is, first of all, the presentation and promotion of Azerbaijan in the world. The successful implementation of a large number of major projects serving our national interests and keeping our traditions alive under the leadership of the first vice-president of the country is a clear example of the mercy and kindness of the Azerbaijani woman, her rich spiritual-intellectual and high moral values.
What was written in the life Book of Mehriban Aliyeva, who managed to write her name in golden letters in our glorious history with her good deeds, is truly unique. The merits of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva in the broadening of the women’s movement in our country over the past 20 years and the systematic and consistent activities of our ladies for Noble and benevolent purposes should be emphasized.
Mehriban Aliyeva is a great friend, “spiritual mother” and support of children. He also considers himself happy because he always brings feelings of joy to those in need of care. Referring to this point in one of her interviews, the first lady said: “more than 200 letters come to my name every day. None of them goes unnoticed. I want to do specific work and help specific people. I want to solve specific problems, feel joy when you can help, and regret when you can’t do something for reasons beyond your control, suffer when you realize your powerlessness in the face of an incurable disease, and rejoice once again when you see the smile of a saved child. This is my choice.”
As Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva herself, who sought the meaning of her life in gratuitous help to people, in kind and noble deeds, said, doing good and showing mercy to others has become her most sublime human quality. His goodwill was rooted in disinterestedness and sincerity. A person is remembered for his good deeds. Mehriban Aliyeva also took a special place in the hearts of people with her noble deeds.
“History determines the place and fate of each person in life. Therefore, there are no big or small roles. Only your personal, realized responsibility allows you to write your own life book. In this book, each person embodies himself as the creator or destroyer of his personal life and the world. Whoever you are, you should be – here it is, our life. Therefore, you should not take on the roles and images of others. For you and your Earth in the world are the only and unique.”
The author of these valuable thoughts is Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva. The first lady of the country says that in this life you need to play only your own image, make a mark with your own deeds. As you can see, the saying of great leader Heydar Aliyev “the fate of the people and The Motherland should become the fate of every person” Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva lives with wisdom, as well as loyalty to the sage. As a result, Mehriban Aliyeva’s character was formed at this level in the unity of patriotism, love for people, land and statehood.
It has been 7 years that Mehriban Aliyeva has been successfully acting as the first vice-president of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Under his leadership, numerous projects were implemented, in general, there was not a single area of the country’s life that could be ignored.
We must admit that according to the order of President Ilham Aliyev dated February 21, 2017, the appointment of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva as the first vice-president was not accidental. At that time, Mehriban Aliyeva, both as a member of the Milli Majlis and as the head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, carried out important projects within the country and in the international arena. When he was a deputy of the Milli Majlis, he regularly held meetings with voters, inquired about their concerns, studied their opinions and proposals, and took appropriate measures to solve their social problems. Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, who gained the deep respect and sympathy of voters, took an active part in the adoption of a number of important laws in Parliament, acting on the interests of our state and people. At the same time, he played an active role in the socio-political and cultural life of Azerbaijan, and his projects in the field of education, health, culture and art made an invaluable contribution to the development of these directions. The acts of amnesty, which took place on his initiative, brought joy to hundreds of thousands of families. At the same time, his work to introduce the realities and culture of Azerbaijan to the world caused great repercussions in the international arena, these projects further strengthened Azerbaijan’s position in the world and proved that our country has ancient cultural and historical roots.
The first lady has set a high standard not only in the country, but also in the areas in which she is engaged in the world. He has become an important example to repeat for all people with his humanistic steps, his work and his valor for the establishment of peace.
Mehriban Aliyeva’s activity successfully completes the political line pursued by President Ilham Aliyev, and also proves that the first lady of the country deserves the greatest award-national love for her dedication, commitment to our culture, history and traditions. The head of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, who became a favorite of his people with his good deeds, honorably fulfills his noble mission, which combines the most beautiful features inherent in an Azerbaijani woman. His role in the socio-political and cultural life of our country is important, his merits are undeniable.
When the second Karabakh war began, the people learned the words of first vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva, which stirred emotions and helped our fighters fight in our Just War, as well as a military call: “May the Almighty grant every Azerbaijani to kiss the Holy Land of Karabakh!”
It was both a call and a mother’s prayer. This challenge raised the fighting spirit of our heroic sons on the way to glorious victory. The maternal care of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, who regularly visited and cared for our servicemen who were wounded in the battles, increased the fighting spirit of each of our servicemen.
The Great Victory also raised the political image of our country and increased the respect of world powers for it. After the victory, President Ilham Aliyev’s visits to the liberated territories include first vice-president Mehriban Aliyeva, who, together with the head of state, takes part in the beginning of construction work and the groundbreaking ceremony of this or that enterprise. Participation at this level in laying the foundation is an expression of love, a maternal blessing that cannot be expressed in words.
The works carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Karabakh and East Zangazur on the instructions of Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva are also spectacular. The work done by the foundation, which restored our historical, cultural and religious monuments destroyed by Vandal Armenians in 30 years, is unique.
Against the background of all this, we can say with confidence that Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, who knows kindness, philosophy of life to the motherland, people, statehood and state service, was awarded the highest value of Azerbaijan – “Heydar Aliyev prize”and “Heydar Aliyev” order.
The first woman of the east to be elected
The Azerbaijani woman has always played an exceptional role in our formation as a people, enrichment of our history, creation and development of our literature and culture as the main driving force of our society. The holy mother, being a faithful wife, also left a deep mark in history as an outstanding diplomat, ruler, commander, heroic warrior.
Tomris, Nushaba, Burla Khatun, Sara Khatun, Hagar, Nigar and other heroic mothers were the favorite of the enemy. They have created our glorious history with their bravery and dedication. Even after centuries, our people never forget them, keeping their names alive and passing them on from generation to generation. The first Democratic Republic of the East, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, by giving women the right to elect and be elected, further increased their status in our society and created conditions for their close participation in the socio-political life of our country. The Azerbaijani woman also took an active part in the protection of our national identity, in the widespread struggle for freedom, and was the most reliable support of our native language and morality. The foundation of women’s policy at the state level in our country was laid by great leader Heydar Aliyev.
The national leader has always treated women’s personalities with great respect and took important steps to increase their role in the socio-political sphere. The great leader has always paid attention to the promotion of women in the management system and the assessment of their activities at a high level. In 1995, Azerbaijan adopted the UN Convention “On the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women”, as well as the International Labor Organization (ILO) “On the Application of Women’s Labor in Underground Work”, “Equal Rights for Men and Women for Equal Work” adopted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in the field of women’s work. adopted the conventions “On the Protection of Motherhood”, “On Discrimination in the Field of Labor and Employment” and “On the Citizenship of a Married Woman”.
In 1998, the national leader Heydar Aliyev signed a decree “on the establishment of the State Committee on women’s problems of the Republic of Azerbaijan” to strengthen the position of women in society. In the same year, 1998, on September 14, after a 26-year break, the first Congress of Azerbaijani women was held. Last year, the VI Congress of Azerbaijani women, which brought together about 600 women from all regions of the country, was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev, who founded the women’s movement in our country, as well as the 25th anniversary of the first women’s Congress.
The worthy successor of the Great Leader, President Ilham Aliyev, also expressed very valuable thoughts about the Azerbaijani woman and took commendable steps in the further growth of the women’s movement in our country. Our esteemed President noted that Azerbaijani women, as followers of their enlightened predecessors, have persevered in the work of building the education, health and cultural systems of our country on New Foundations over the past hundred years and have passed a bright path full of achievements. After the restoration of independence, they played an important role in strengthening the foundation of national statehood and determining the current image of our country with loyalty to the ideals of independence, and today they spend their knowledge and skills to increase the economic, cultural and scientific potential of our republic, which is confidently moving on the path of dynamic development. Their high public position and authority were the result of ensuring the rights and freedoms of Azerbaijani women and are one of the most significant events of our modern life.
Every year, the head of state, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, congratulates Azerbaijani women on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, celebrates their merits in the development of our country, and awards them with orders and medals. Of course, this is a manifestation of attention and care for women at the state level.
Azerbaijani trade unions also pay special attention to the active participation of women in public life, their greater representation in the structures of trade unions and strengthening their role. At present, the number of trade union members is dominated by women.
In general, after gaining independence, Azerbaijan joined the most important documents of the UN and the International Labor Organization (ILO) on gender equality, adopted the laws on “ensuring Gender equality (between women and men)” and “domestic violence”. The democratic environment established in Azerbaijan creates a favorable basis for the realization of the rich potential of women. On the basis of such a basis, ATUC paid special attention to the active participation of women in the socio-economic life of the country, their greater representation in the structures of trade unions and strengthening their role. According to the “concept of Gender Policy”at ATUC, recommendations on “applying gender approach in collective agreements” and “balancing the representation of men and women in the management of trade union organizations” were prepared, and the “Center for Gender equality and women’s problems” was established under ATUC. Each year, the study of statistical reports characterizing gender equality suggests that ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and men in places is an important step.
ATUC pays close attention to equality between men and women
The protection of human rights, the achievement of gender equality and, in particular, the promotion of women and girls to increase and develop their activity in society has always been one of the main issues facing the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan.
It is known that gender equality means equal rights, duties and opportunities of women and men, boys and girls. Equality requires equal consideration of the different needs, interests and desires of men and women. ATUC pays close attention to the equality of men and women, the formation and preservation of family relations in a healthy environment. The policy pursued in this direction is based on the analysis of socio-economic, legal, cultural and psychological aspects of statistical indicators. On the basis of the “concept of Gender equality” adopted at ATUC, long-term “action programs” are implemented, “Center for Gender and women’s problems”, “School of Gender knowledge and technology” operate. Statistical data from the State Statistics Committee and 27 sectoral trade union centers of ATUC are summarized, the impact of differences and experiences between the Sexes is studied. These works are dealt with by 10 commissions, which include about 2463 thousand responsible persons appointed in the structures of sectoral trade unions.
ATUC considers the disclosure of the potential of female members to be one of the priorities. Gender statistics show that in the total number of trade union members, men are 47.7 percent, while women are 52.3 percent. 18.9 percent of the members are young people. More than half of them, namely 9, 534 percent, are young women, and 6.18 percent of these women are represented in leadership positions of all levels. 32.7 percent of the chairmen are young women. In general, women in the elective bodies of trade unions are represented by 47.8 per cent, and in leadership positions of all levels – by 42.5 per cent.
Gender equality is a global issue. Equal access to work, education, social protection and employment should also be a guarantee of the new social contract. Unfortunately, despite such global development, women and girls are still subjected to violence in various forms. Women make up the majority of the informal economy. Equal wages and decent working conditions should be decisive for women in all cases.
All employers should place the care economy at the center of their plans and budgets so that the concept of “unpaid work” is eliminated and female employees are also represented in social contracts and collective agreements. We, in turn, urge our social partners to invest in the care economy and to adequately recognize the value of the care work. These are also fundamental factors for Sustainable Development. The work to be carried out to ensure sustainable development requires the creation of a situation in which adjustments and new opportunities will be available, whether at the national level or at the level of any body or enterprise, and, of course, these opportunities and adjustments will be aimed primarily at employees. Trade unions, on the other hand, are the most important force in promoting sustainable development as a representative of workers.
The Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan has always shown close interest in global development initiatives of the international community. Today, the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan cooperates with more than 70 trade union centers. So far, ATUC has concluded bilateral agreements with 12 foreign trade union organizations around the world. Over the past 30 years, 219 seminars and conferences have been organized, 114 of which are international events.
Apart from Gender and equality issues, ATUC has also held a number of international, regional and sub-regional educational seminars and conferences on “SDGs 2015-2030 agenda” with ILO since 2016 in order to contribute to the process of better assimilation and nationalization of Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, many ATUC specialists participated in a number of international training courses, seminars and plenary sessions held with the support of both the International Labour Organization and the International Confederation of Trade Unions on the subject. I would like to inform you that the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan is one of the ILO’s two priority organizations on Sustainable Development Goals (Moldova and Azerbaijan).
As the Confederation of Trade Unions of Azerbaijan supports all decisions taken to ensure social welfare, as well as as workers ‘ rights defenders, we wish a world where peace and justice are established for all around the world. Let’s not forget that women are the main builders of life and means the future. Women’s rights as a whole mean human rights. Women are our world, and we must protect this world.
Once again, I wish our women all over the world a life in which they will live and develop in equal rights and solidarity, function effectively and be provided with decent work!
Sattar MOHBALIYEV,
Deputy of Milli Majlis, chairman of Azerbaijan Trade Unions Confederation