Mrs. Bahar Muradova, the chairperson of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs met with the head of the UN delegation in Azerbaijan, Mrs.Vladanka Andreeva on September 25, 2023.

Welcoming the guests, the Chairperson of the Committee, Mrs. Bahar Muradova expressed her gratitude for the meeting proposal.

Stating that Azerbaijan is experiencing a very important period, Mrs. B. Muradova said that a completely new situation has been observed in the more than 30-year history of the conflict.

This situation became a great opportunity for Azerbaijan to demonstrate its position based on the principles of international law, first of all, on the issues of citizens whose rights have been violated, families who have been displaced from their homes, women who have lost loved ones, children whose rights have been violated, and the fulfillment of obligations towards them.

It also showed that Azerbaijan is a country that contributes not only to the interests of its country, its people and the region it is located in, but as an honest and responsible member of the international community to the current socio-political environment in the whole world."

Mrs. B. Muradova, who appreciated the contribution of relevant UN agencies, including the representative office in Azerbaijan, as both an observer and a close participant of these processes, said that today's meeting aims to prepare for the upcoming month of combating domestic violence.

Noting that a number of measures have been implemented as a result of joint cooperation over the years, the chairperson said that this process will continue in the future. She added that we are preparing to celebrate this month at a high level by bringing together the capabilities of all parties involved in the fight against domestic violence, and with the initiatives of the mass media, non-governmental organizations, and the Public Council under the Committee, we are trying to keep this process in mind and demonstrate coordinated activities.

The chairperson added that the second major event - the Conference on "Prevention of domestic violence: possibilities and prospects" will be held in December and will be attended by a wide range of international colleagues. At the end of her speech, she said that the domestic violence program was completed this year, and thanks to the work done in 3 years, both the public was informed and experience was exchanged.

Mrs.Vladanka Andreeva expressed her gratitude to the Chairman of the Committee for the warm welcome, referring to the relations of the UN with Azerbaijan, which have been formed for many years, and said that the joint cooperation will be successfully continued in the future.

She emphasized the importance of preparing projects in the field of empowering women and girls and strengthening their rights, taking into account local needs and local conditions, especially in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Emphasizing that the measures implemented by the State Committee are admirable, the guest spoke about the development prospects of future cooperation.

The parties discussed the work to be done within the framework of the "16-day activism against gender-based violence" campaign, and also exchanged ideas for ensuring the sustainability and further expansion of the implemented projects.

The meeting was attended by the head of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office, Mrs. Kanako Mabuchi, Mrs. Sadagat Gahramanova, the vice-chairperson   of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs, and other officials from both sides.