The Muslim-majority country of Azerbaijan presents a compelling paradigm for women’s equality as the first Islamic country to grant women the right to vote in 1919 - even before the US, Report informs referring to The Times of Israel.
The first ever parliamentary republic with a predominantly Muslim population, Azerbaijan has an open and diverse society where female leaders enjoy high public visibility and direct participation in decision-making and policy formulation.
Today, most prominent among modern Azerbaijan’s female leaders are First Vice President and the First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva as well as Parliament Speaker Dr. Sahiba Qafarova, according to the article.
“A medical doctor by training, Aliyeva demonstrates a strong commitment to Azerbaijan’s traditions of cultural diversity and religious tolerance, emphasizes education for young women and leads reforms to expand the role of women in a predominantly Muslim society,” reads the article.
As the profile of women rises worldwide, the experiences of Israel and Azerbaijan demonstrate the need for and benefits of having female leaders, from east to west, the author wrote.