Women in Azerbaijan

Women in Azerbaijan

Though women in Azerbaijan nominally enjoy the same legal rights as men, gender discrimination is common. Particularly in rural communities, women who appear in public unaccompanied, smoke in public, drive automobiles, or visit certain theaters and restaurants are subject to disapproval.Nichol, James. "The Role of Women". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/aztoc.html "Azerbaijan country study"] (Glenn E. Curtis, editor). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (March 1994). "This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."] Traditional social norms and poor economic conditions continue to restrict women's roles in the economy, and there are reports that women have difficulty exercising their legal rights due to discrimination.

Though the majority of Azerbaijani women have jobs outside the home, women are underrepresented in high-level jobs, including top business positions. As of 2007, there were 14 women in the 125-seat parliament. [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100548.htm Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Azerbaijan (2007)] . United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (March 11, 2008). "This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."] Several women held senior government positions, including deputy speaker of parliament, several deputy ministers, and deputy chair of the Central Election Commission. There are no legal restrictions on the participation of women in politics, although traditional social norms limit women's political roles, and they are underrepresented in elective offices.

Violence against women is a problem in Azerbaijan. The government stated that 86 rapes and attempted rapes were reported during 2007, in connection with which the government criminally charged 66 persons. Most rape victims reportedly knew their assailants but did not report incidents out of fear and shame. Rape is illegal and carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence. In rural areas women have no effective recourse against assaults by their husbands or others; there are no laws on spousal abuse or specific laws on spousal rape. There are no government-sponsored programs for victims of rape or domestic violence. In Baku a women's crisis center operated by the Institute for Peace and Democracy provides free medical, psychological, and legal assistance for women. Representatives of the institute regularly appear on popular television talk shows to discuss women's issues.

Prostitution is an administrative offense rather than a crime and is punishable by a fine of up to $102 (88 AZN). Pimps and brothel owners may be sentenced to prison for up to six years. Prostitution is a serious problem, particularly in Baku.

The law does not directly prohibit sexual harassment.

References

Further reading

* Heyat, Farideh. [http://books.google.com/books?id=4KfqLnqFHfkC "Azeri Women in Transition: Women in Soviet and Post-Soviet Azerbaijan"] . Routledge (2002). ISBN 0700716629.
* [http://www.omct.org/pdf/VAW/2004/Azerbaijan_CESCR33rd.pdf Violence Against Women in Azerbaijan] . World Organisation Against Torture (November 2004). "This report also addresses the status of women generally."


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Azerbaijan — This article is about the country in Eurasia. For other uses, see Azerbaijan (disambiguation) …   Wikipedia

  • Azerbaijan Democratic Republic — People s Republic of Azerbaijan / Azerbaijan Democratic Republic Azərbaycan Xalq Cümhuriyyəti / Azərbaycan Demokratik Respublikası ← …   Wikipedia

  • Women's suffrage — U.S. women suffragists demonstrating for the right to vote, February 1913 Women s suffrage or woman suffrage[1] is the right of women to vote and to run for office. The expression is also used for the economic and political reform movement aimed… …   Wikipedia

  • Azerbaijan women's national volleyball team — Infobox national volleyball team name=Azerbaijan federation=Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation website= confederation=CEV manager= coach= FIVB rank=26 Olympic apps=0The Azerbaijan women s national volleyball team represents the former Soviet… …   Wikipedia

  • Azerbaijan — /ah zeuhr buy jahn , az euhr buy jan /; Russ. /u zyirdd buy jahn /, n. 1. Also, Azerbaidzhan. Formerly, Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. a republic in Transcaucasia, N of Iran and W of the Caspian Sea. 7,735,918; 33,430 sq. mi. (86,600 sq.… …   Universalium

  • Azerbaijan Democratic Party — The Azerbaijan Democratic Party ADP (in abbreviation)History:History: The Azerbaijan Democratic Party was established on January 26, 1991 by the participants of 27 persons. On October 17, it was registered by the Cabinet of Ministers of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Women in Burma — A Burmese woman in traditional garb, c. 1920. Historically, women in Burma (Myanmar) have had a unique social status in Burmese society. According to the research made by Daw Mya Sein, Burmese women for centuries – even before recorded history… …   Wikipedia

  • Women in the People's Republic of China — Chinese woman in rural Jiangxi, People s Republic of China Since 1949, the government of People s Republic of China has actively promoted the social, economic and political roles of women in society. While advancing progress in promoting equality …   Wikipedia

  • Women in Oman — An Omani woman at a goat market. The women of Oman are citizens of a country that is described as one of the most advanced countries in the Persian Gulf region as far as women s rights are concerned . The government of Oman has been promoting… …   Wikipedia

  • Azerbaijan at the 2004 Summer Olympics — Infobox Olympics Azerbaijan games=2004 Summer competitors=36 (30 men and 6 women) sports=10 flagbearer=Nizami Pashayev officials= gold=1 silver=0 bronze=4 total=5 rank=50Azerbaijan competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.Medalists… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”