A delegation of Azerbaijani women’s leaders examined the reasons for the declining participation of women in the political sphere in Azerbaijan during a September 19 visit to IFES headquarters in Washington, D.C. The 11 delegates represented government offices, media, nongovernmental organizations and professional associations.

IFES’ Executive Vice President Jim Vermillion said IFES views the inclusion of women in elections and politics as a fundamental human rights issue.

“It is critically important that women seek and hold office, to make sure that their issues are heard and acted upon,” he said in opening remarks. The forum included an overview of IFES’ work in Azerbaijan presented by Regional Director of Europe and Asia Michael Svetlik and Program Manager for the Caucuses and Central Asia Anthony Bowyer.

IFES began working in Azerbaijan in 1997, conducting programs that encourage equal participation of all citizens in civic and political life, strengthen the country's election system through improved legislation and administrative procedures, promote governmental transparency and inform and motivate voters about their rights and responsibilities in a democracy. IFES' work in Azerbaijan is funded by USAID.

The Azerbaijani delegation is in the United States as part of the Community Connections Program, created by the United States Agency for International Development. The program, managed by Valbin’s Center for International Programs, promotes professional exchanges, international development and leadership programs.

The Azerbaijani delegates explained the historical and social changes that Azerbaijan experienced in the last 15 years that have contributed to the downturn in women’s civic participation. They stressed that the changes affecting women in Azerbaijan go beyond the simple structural change of the government. For example, Malahat Nasibova, director of the Democracy and NGO Development Resource Center, said the transition from Soviet power was accompanied by increasingly violent street demonstrations, which discouraged women from becoming involved in the political life of the country.

“Historically, Azerbaijani women were more active as leaders in their communities before the USSR fell,” she said. “It is due to prevailing attitudes towards women’s activeness in political life now, including in elections, that make women less active now.”

Another delegate said overall equality for women has regressed, along with education that stresses the importance of women’s civic participation.

“Voter participation by women has been decreasing, so (school) texts (teaching civics which incorporate inherent gender equality scenarios) are good for youth education,” said Ilhamuyya Rzayeva, production director for IREX in Azerbaijan.

Equality between men and women is enshrined in the Azerbaijan Constitution. However, the delegates said that while there are legal protections for women in the law, they are not usually enforced. The delegates said Azerbaijanis are looking for a way to get beyond the rhetoric.

“Regardless of the initiatives, we don’t see a lot of improvements, said Ruhangiz Huseynala, president of Solidarity among Women. “It is important to increase women’s organizations and for there to be international support.” Some delegates even thought a quota should be established for women in parliament, but all participants agreed that whatever the system, women need to be given the tools and skills to actively participate and compete in political life and the motivation to do so as equals to their male counterparts.