Today, the USAID-funded Women’s Participation Program in partnership with the “Clean World” Public Union and the Citizens’ Labor rights Protection League organized a public discussion on “Mechanisms of state intervention into intra-family conflicts to prevent domestic violence” as part of the world-wide initiative “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence”.

Although the Government of Azerbaijan has adopted laws on gender equality and on prevention of domestic violence in the past several years, gaps still exist in their implementation. The main purpose of the event was to discuss how these laws can be made more effective. The event also discussed lawful intervention mechanisms into family conflicts, prevention of domestic violence, protection of victims, and consequences of early marriages.

Mr. Ilgar Agassiyev, Country Director of Counterpart International, opened the discussions by stating “Domestic violence is a crime and it can affect anyone in the community, regardless of gender, race, age, economic status or location. It shouldn’t be approached only as a ‘family matter’ and should be prevented through well-functioning laws.”

Representatives from government agencies and independent experts also expressed their views on the subject. Mr. Jeyhun Garajayev, the Constitution Court’s judge, spoke on the prevention of domestic violence in criminal legislation and stressed the achievements in this field. As the author of the draft National Action Plan on Domestic Violence, Mr. Garajayev highlighted that people will see visible changes after the adoption of the National Action Plan in the near future.

Ms. Taliya Ibrahimova, representative from the Azerbaijani State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, spoke about the elimination of domestic violence and the consequences of early marriages, as well as the work the Committee has done in this regard. She noted that the Committee is able to prevent cases of early marriages, especially in rural areas, through collaboration with local law enforcement bodies.

The public service announcements, “Raise Your Voice Against Domestic Violence,” “Support Gender Equalitiy,” “Scale of Rights,” and “Shattered Dream”, produced under the Women’s Participation Program were also viewed at the event.

The Women’s Participation Program of Counterpart International, implemented in partnership with the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, is funded by USAID and aims at improving the status of women in Azerbaijan and involving more women in decision-making processes through public awareness on issues related to women.