Azerbaijan’s Speaker Highlights Women’s Role in Peacebuilding at Global Summit in Geneva
Baku, The Gulf Observer: Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan, Sahiba Gafarova, delivered a powerful address at the 15th Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament, held on July 28 in Geneva, Swiss Confederation. The summit gathered approximately 350 delegates, including women speakers from 29 countries and heads of international organizations, to discuss inclusive leadership and global sustainability.
In her remarks, Speaker Gafarova stressed the urgent relevance of the summit amid ongoing global conflicts, humanitarian crises, and rising inequality. She underscored that women, in particular, face heightened vulnerability during times of war and instability—experiencing violence, displacement, and reduced access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and social protection.
Drawing from Azerbaijan’s historical experience, Gafarova recalled that in the early 1990s, 20 percent of Azerbaijan’s territory was occupied by Armenia, resulting in mass displacement and severe humanitarian consequences. “Nearly one million Azerbaijanis were displaced during that time, 52 percent of whom were women and girls,” she noted. “These women lost their homes, families, and security.”
Despite these hardships, Gafarova highlighted the resilience of Azerbaijani women and their growing role in national recovery and reconstruction. Since restoring its territorial integrity in 2020, Azerbaijan has undertaken significant efforts to rebuild liberated areas and facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs). Today, over 50,000 citizens, including women, live, work, and study in these restored regions.
“Women are actively contributing to the development of socio-economic infrastructure, the functioning of educational and healthcare institutions, and the revival of cultural heritage,” she stated.
Gafarova also reminded attendees of Azerbaijan’s pioneering achievement in granting women the right to vote in 1918—well ahead of many European countries. This, she emphasized, reflects the country’s enduring commitment to gender equality and inclusive governance.
She pointed to the draft National Action Plan on Gender Equality, currently under review, which addresses the employment of returning women, the improvement of their digital literacy, and the study of their specific socio-economic needs.
However, the Speaker warned that reconstruction efforts continue to be hampered by the presence of approximately 1.5 million landmines left behind by Armenian forces. She praised Azerbaijani women for their role in demining operations, despite the high human and financial cost.
Concluding her speech, Gafarova reaffirmed the vital role of women in achieving lasting peace and development. “Despite all the challenges, sustainable peace cannot be built without the participation of women,” she declared. “Their involvement is not only essential to reducing the risks of violence but also to laying the foundation for lasting development.”
The summit served as a platform for global leaders to reaffirm their commitment to gender-responsive governance and to share strategies for strengthening women’s leadership amid global challenges.
