Роль традиційних механізмів у сфері гендерного розвитку

This article explores how convention mechanisms have influenced gender-focused development initiatives. Since gaining independence, the Republic of Azerbaijan has actively engaged in international efforts to promote gender equality by joining numerous agreements and global initiatives. Azerbaijani representatives regularly participate in global forums dedicated to advancing gender-related progress. Following Azerbaijan’s accession to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on June 30, 1995, significant legal amendments and policy adjustments were implemented to reduce gender-based discrimination, further strengthening protections for women. Since ensuring gender rights and sustainable development pertains to fundamental human rights, it should be one of the main pillars of state policy and the establishment of a legal state. To ensure gender rights and sustainable development, it is necessary to objectively assess the current state of human rights in our republic, identify existing issues, and conduct a comparative analysis with international experience. Various measures are being taken in the Republic of Azerbaijan to address gender issues. Thanks to the creation and effective work of the State Committee on Family, Women, and Children’s Issues, many gender issues have been resolved. The legal basis for the implementation of gender policy in accordance with the requirements of the modern era is the Constitution of independent Azerbaijan, adopted on November 12, 1995. It is noted that the adopted law “On Guarantees of Gender (Men and Women) Equality” is of great importance in terms of reliable protection of women’s rights in our republic. The law reflects the legal regulatory mechanism for protecting gender balance. A society with gender equality is a society in which women and men are equal members. In such a society, the rights of men and women are protected on an equal level. Promoting gender equality is a constant issue and its continuous implementation is important. In this area, civil society entities are also actively involved in covering important issues. Article 25 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan establishes the principle of equality between women and men and declares the inadmissibility of discrimination. Violation of the right to equality is defined as a criminal offense in the Criminal Code. Another normative-legal act adopted in the field of ensuring women’s rights in the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 22, 2010 “On Prevention of Domestic Violence”, also established important provisions in this direction. Thus, the Law defines and regulates measures taken to prevent violence committed through abuse of close family relationships, joint or former joint living, and the negative legal, medical and social consequences it causes, to provide social protection and legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, as well as to eliminate the circumstances that lead to domestic violence. Gender equality is the creation of equal rights, duties, opportunities for men and women, including an equal social status in society. At the same time, gender equality implies equal representation and participation. Equal opportunities are understood to consist of conditions and guarantees that are necessary for the realization of human rights, all their forms. To achieve this equality, it is first necessary to eliminate all forms of gender inequality and discrimination. Azerbaijan has joined international conventions in this regard and has incorporated the obligations arising from them into its legislative acts. The fact that women’s rights are part of human rights was particularly emphasized in the Beijing Convention on Women’s Issues held in 1995 and was reflected in a number of international documents adopted thereafter. It is no secret that gender equality and the enhancement of women’s rights and opportunities are among the initial and main conditions for achieving sustainable development all over the world. The inclusion of gender equality as a separate goal in the Sustainable Development Goals shows that there is still much work to be done in this area in the world. The state’s responsibilities also include creating equal conditions and guarantees for equal opportunities for men and women, which primarily depends on conducting gender analysis and allocating funds in accordance with the indicators obtained. One of the main tasks of the state in ensuring gender equality is to prevent the dominance of one gender in state management and decision-making. The implementation of the tasks stipulated in Articles 7-16 of the Law on Gender Equality in the Fields implies the creation of equal opportunities for men and women in labor, education, economic and social relations, as well as in public and political life, including membership in trade unions. In order to increase the effectiveness of these measures, it is necessary, first of all, to: Improve the implementation mechanisms of the Law; Strengthen activities in the field of implementation of international obligations; Adopt the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Family Planning and Reproductive Health”; Establish sanctions in the legislation for job advertisements reflecting discrimination; Improve the legislation in the field of prevention of gender-based violence and domestic violence; Develop possible mechanisms in the legislation to stimulate women’s entrepreneurship in order to increase the competitiveness of women in the field of employment and reduce their economic dependence; Improve the implementation mechanisms of the Law; Implement international obligations.