On June 28, 2012, the USAID funded "Women Leadership in Local Governance" project trained 15 women to incorporate new leadership skills in their respective work with  local government structures,  businesses and NGO communities in the  Yevlakh region. The deputy head of Yevlakh region Executive Power, USAID, local municipalities, community leaders, and women from local executive governmental structures, and local NGOs participated in the training and related presentation on the same day.

The training objective was to increase women leadership and strengthen the quality and number of women leaders in institutional and community decision-making processes.

The enthusiastic participants were trained in women empowering themes, including:  the role and use of Public Relations tools, women’s role in social and political life, women’s participation in decision-making, and the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).   Funded by the USAID and implemented by Counterpart International, a non-profit organization with over 50 years of global development experience, the "Women’s Leadership in Local Governance" project is a keystone of USAID’s Women’s Participation Program, a two-year Program 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 political and decision making processes.

Ms. Lyudmila Khalilova, Project Manager and Chairperson of the "Women for the Development of Municipalities" Public Union, noted the value of the training to the 15 eager women students.

“The project provides impetus to women’s leadership development efforts; by increasing women's participation and providing greater women leadership capacity in efforts to improve standards of local governance. One important result is strengthened women’s impact on local decision-making processes."

Ms. Khalilova also spoke on future plans. She noted that the «CEDAW 7b», a coalition created under the Program, will organize public awareness initiatives directed to the need for women to be more engaged and involved, at the same time working to increase knowledge and skills of women in leadership, and strengthen women’s participation in the 2014 and 2015 elections. The «CEDAW 7b» coalition will be carrying out "Women Leadership in Local Governance" project in Baku, Sumgayit, Gabala, Masally, Gadabay, Tovuz, Yevlakh, Goranboy and Gakh regions.