Ms. Bahar Muradova, Chair of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs, who is on a visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, participated in a conference held in Cairo on the topic “The Use of Religious and Media Discourse and Its Impact on the Protection and Promotion of Women’s Rights in OIC Member States.”

Within the framework of the conference, Ms.Bahar Muradova answered questions during a session titled “The Role of Media, Culture, and the Arts in Shaping Public Awareness of Women’s Positive Roles,” noting that media, culture, and the arts carry strategic importance in promoting women’s rights.

The Committee Chair emphasized that these fields are not merely channels for transmitting information, but also “soft power” tools that serve to shape public consciousness, change behavioral patterns, and promote gender equality.

Referring to Azerbaijan’s experience, B. Muradova noted that through media and digital platforms, women are presented as active actors in public, economic, and political life, adding that topics such as women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, peacebuilding, and partnership within the family are systematically brought to the public agenda.

B. Muradova stressed that activities in the fields of media and culture are implemented in a coordinated manner as part of a unified state policy, and that this approach creates conditions for the sustainable strengthening of women’s positive image.

Noting that the formation of a positive image of women is possible not only through cultural representation but also through their active participation in real decision-making processes, the Committee Chair highlighted that Azerbaijan applies a consistent approach in this direction, identifying the promotion of girls’ education as a key starting point.

She noted that the opening of the first secular girls’ school in the East in Azerbaijan was an important milestone in legitimizing women’s public role, and that this enlightenment tradition continues today. Under the coordination of the State Committee, awareness-raising activities are carried out in the regions, early marriage risks are reduced, and dialogue with parents is conducted. At the same time, increasing women’s representation in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches is implemented as one of the priority areas of state policy.

B. Muradova stated that the activities of women leaders, including First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva and Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova, create real role models for the younger generation. At the same time, women’s entrepreneurship, employment, and social projects strengthen women’s economic independence. In the international arena, women’s active participation in diplomacy, humanitarian initiatives, and the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda contributes to reinforcing Azerbaijan’s modern and inclusive image. Ms.Bahar Muradova noted that this consistent and systematic model can be assessed as a practical example adaptable for other countries within the OIC space.

The conference continued with sessions.

Afterwards, Bahar Muradova answered questions from the Egyptian media.