Representatives of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Counterpart International today marked the beginning of the Strengthening Women’s Political Participation project in Ganja. The project, which aims to strengthen participation of women in decision-making processes in Ganja as well as the regions of Samukh, Goygol and Dashkasan, is part of the Women’s Participation Program, funded by USAID and implemented by Counterpart International.

“The Government of Azerbaijan has committed to serious international conventions on ending discrimination against women. They are open to discussions and assistance on how to best achieve progress in meeting their commitments. We believe that this two-year USAID-funded Women’s Participation Program will also play a great role in cooperating with the Azerbaijani Government in its efforts to promote women’s rights and gender equality in all areas of socio-economic development of the country”, said Ilgar Agassiyev, Chief of Party of the Women’s Participation Program, Counterpart International.

“Women need to be educated on their rights and opportunities and more women need to be engaged in decision-making processes. We think that no country can achieve great results in socio-economic and political development without empowering its women”, emphasized Parviz Musayev, Program Management Specialist, USAID.

This project will be implemented by the Coalition of “Tomris” Mothers’ Society and “Ganja Regional Women Center” Public Union. The project will help ensure women’s leadership in public and political life in the future and support women candidates in all elections to be held in Azerbaijan. Training and public hearings with participation of university students and other state agencies will be held within the 18-month timeframe of the project. The coalition will organize a national conference at which project beneficiaries and women Members of Parliament will participate. The project will also develop and broadcast a public service announcement as well as talk-shows on local TV channels.

Nearly 40 representatives from state agencies, international and local civil society organizations participated in the event.

The two-year Women’s Participation Program supported by USAID seeks to improve the socio-economic status of women in Azerbaijan by raising public awareness on issues that affect women, and empowering more women to engage in the political and decision making processes.