Baku: Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova participated in the 2nd Session of the Women's Parliamentary Forum of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean in Abu Dhabi, as part of her working visit to the United Arab Emirates, according to the Press and Public Relations Department of the Milli Majlis, APA reported.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova emphasized the role of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean as a platform for dialogue and mutual understanding. She highlighted the Assembly's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment, stressing these as crucial goals for achieving collective success.
The Speaker recalled Azerbaijan's application for observer status in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and expressed confidence that such a status would enhance cooperative efforts. She noted the importance of fostering connections between the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement, chaired by the Milli Majlis, and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, citing past collaborations as a positive example. Gafarova proposed institutional partnerships through reciprocal observer statuses and cooperation agreements to advance parliamentary diplomacy.
Addressing the significance of the event's theme, the Speaker underscored gender equality and women's empowerment as essential components of the Sustainable Development Goals. Highlighting the global nature of challenges in this area, she advocated for international collaboration, particularly among parliamentarians.
Further, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova emphasized the need for societal mindset changes to achieve real progress in gender equality. She argued that strong societies require women's full participation in all aspects of life, and any initiative neglecting women's rights and potential is bound to falter.
Highlighting Azerbaijan's progress, she informed participants about the country's efforts in promoting gender equality. She cited historical milestones, such as the opening of the first secular girls' school in the Muslim world in 1901 and the granting of suffrage to women in 1918. Today, Azerbaijani women actively contribute to various sectors, with significant representation in politics, science, and education, supported by the National Gender Equality Action Plan 2026-2028.
The Azerbaijani Parliament's active role in legislative development was noted, with recent discussions on gender equality and family policy laws. Gafarova praised the institutional promotion of gender equality and the involvement of women MPs in legislative committees. She expressed optimism that the Forum's discussions would yield tangible outcomes in advancing women's empowerment, seen as vital for social cohesion and regional development.