UK supports Azerbaijan in adoption of National Action Plan for Gender Equality

The British Embassy in Azerbaijan has hosted an event on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Report informs.

UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan James Sharp delivered a speech at the event, noting that this holiday symbolizes the importance of women’s role in society as a whole.

Sharp emphasized the need to respect women’s rights and ensure their security, adding that women contribute to overall progress and prosperity.

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 in a number of countries. Historically, it appeared as a day of women’s solidarity in many countries in the struggle for equal rights and emancipation.

In turn, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy Emma Robinson emphasized that this year is significant in the issues of respecting women’s rights.

This year the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the first UN Security Council resolution on the importance of women’s role in preventing and resolving conflicts in order to maintain peace and security. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which was an important milestone towards progress in respecting women’s rights, Robinson noted.

She added that Great Britain attaches great importance to this issue, in connection with which several campaigns were held in the UK, and the issue of gender equality was included in the priorities of the country’s foreign policy.

The role of women in Azerbaijan is growing, she said, adding that work is underway in the country to adopt a national action plan in the field of gender equality.

The UK is in every way ready to support Azerbaijan in drafting this plan, and expresses hope that it will be adopted soon, Robinson noted.

She also mentioned women’s role in conflict resolution, emphasizing that their participation allows faster and more effective resolution of any conflict or dispute.