The purpose of the event is to involve traditional and digital media in the fight against gender-based violence against women and girls, as well as call on everyone via their support.

Welcoming the guests, Mrs. Sadagat Gahramanova the Deputy Chair of the State Committee said that every year the State Committee carries out a number of events within the framework of the Campaign. This year, with the participation of UN experts, awareness-raising events will be organized in 16 regions, including Women's Resource Centers, Child and Family Support Centers, universities and colleges.

"Guarantees of gender (male and female) equality, prevention of domestic violence, approval of laws on combating human trafficking, national action plans, creation of relevant institutional mechanisms, formation of civil society demonstrate the political will to eliminate this problem in our country," said the Deputy Chair.

Speaking about the importance of treating the victim with respect and following the principles of confidentiality and professionalism, S. Gahramanova emphasized the importance of appointing specialized journalists who have received training on the subject in such cases noting that it is necessary to avoid sensational or stereotypical descriptions.

Pointing to the use of sensational images in media reports that only serve to attract public attention by triggering a superficial approach to a complex social phenomenon, the Deputy Chair added that such images, in addition to perpetuating stereotypes, also simplify the phenomenon of violence against women and equate it with physical violence.

Speaking later, Mrs. Vladanka Andreyeva, Resident Coordinator of the UN in Azerbaijan, pointed out that violence against women and girls remains the most widespread human rights violation in the world and that one out of every three women suffers from it. It was reported that this figure has remained largely unchanged over the past ten years.

She noted that the UN family in Azerbaijan will cooperate with the State Committee, development partners, academic circles and civil society in this campaign, and visits to 16 regions of Azerbaijan will be organized during these 16 days. "To end violence against women and girls, we will raise awareness and mobilize all opportunities to act for change. Let's take a stand and raise our voices to defend women's rights and end violence against women and girls."

Mr. Imran Aliyev, Deputy Head of the Department of Preventive Work with Minors of the Main Public Security Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, made a speech and noted that respect for women is one of the main moral values in Azerbaijan at all times, all necessary measures have been taken at the state level to increase their role in society and ensure gender balance. He added that an excellent legislative framework has been formed in this direction, laws on "Combating Human Trafficking", "Gender Equality Guarantees", and "Prevention of Domestic Violence" and a number of state programs have been adopted.

He noted that the investigation of appeals received by the Ministry and territorial bodies related to family conflict, including domestic violence, is treated with special sensitivity, families with conflicts are registered and preventive measures are taken together with the relevant institutions. An official investigation is carried out on each crime that occurs on the grounds of domestic violence, and a legal evaluation is given to the work done by the employee to prevent this type of crime.

After the opening speeches, a social video called "Silence" prepared by the State Committee was presented within the framework of the 16-Day Activism campaign against gender-based violence.

Later, Mrs. Rena Farajova, the Deputy Head of Sabunchu District Executive Power had a speech noting that domestic violence is one of the main factors that hinder the healthy development of society. She drew attention to a number of pilot projects in this direction by the Sabunchu District Executive Authority and said that within the framework of the fight against domestic violence, measures are being implemented in the direction of detecting families who are included in the risk group, conducting preventive work with them, and providing the necessary psychological and legal support to victims of violence.

Mrs.Shahla Ismayil, the Chairperson of the "For Rational Development" Women's Society, who said that the incidents of violence gave rise to very serious steps, noted that there has been positive progress in this field in recent years. In addition to the strengthening of the legislative base, the increase in awareness campaigns and initiatives in this regard was evaluated as a gratifying and positive event. At the same time, the speaker emphasized the importance of closer cooperation with the media in order to combat such situations.

Mr. Elgun Safarov, Doctor of Philosophy in Law, Deputy Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, made a presentation on "Criteria for coverage of gender-based violence against women and girls in the media", and national legislation in the direction of gender-based violence, professional media, protection of human rights and international conventions.

Mrs. Yegana Hajiyeva, a member of the Management Board of the Press Council, made a speech and emphasized the importance of the event and noted that the media is the most powerful tool of all times, the most powerful weapon in the direction of forming and breaking any stereotypes and transmitting messages to the society.

Later, Mr. Sahib Mammadov, the Chair of the Public Council under the SCFWCA, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Citizens' Labor Rights Defense League, Mr.Elshad Hajiyev, the head of the media and public relations department of the Press Service, Mrs. Maftuna Ismayilova, the advisor to the chairman of the Board of the Social Services Agency under the Ministry of Social Affairs, Mr.Saleh Nasirov, the social affairs blogger, Mrs. Fidan Nizamova, psychologist expressed their opinions.

In the end, Mrs.Sadagat Gahramanova, the Deputy Chair of the State Committee, called on media representatives, as well as everyone involved, to actively participate and cooperate in the fight against domestic violence.