Bahar Muradova, Chairperson of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs of Azerbaijan, met with Amal Ammar, Chairperson of Egypt's National Council for Women (NCW).
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the international conference titled “Harnessing Religious and Media Discourse and Its Impact on the Protection and Promotion of Women’s Rights in OIC Member States,” which commenced in Cairo. During the meeting, the sides emphasized that the historically established friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt have been successfully developing across various fields.
Bahar Muradova noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Egypt are based on the principles of friendship and mutual respect. She stressed the need to further expand cooperation between the relevant institutions of the two countries. Referring to successful projects implemented with ICESCO, as well as with Türkiye and Morocco, she underscored that similar initiatives could also be realized jointly with Egypt.
Muradova highlighted that Azerbaijan established the first secular republic in the East. She described the country as a multicultural society where representatives of different religions and confessions freely conduct their religious activities.
The Committee Chairperson stated that Azerbaijan continuously improves its legislation aimed at protecting the rights of women, families and children. She noted that early marriages have been prevented, marriages between close relatives have been prohibited, and legal mechanisms to combat domestic violence have been strengthened. She also emphasized the importance of introducing certain regulations concerning children's use of social media. Drawing attention to the fact that women worldwide face similar challenges, she underlined the importance of international cooperation in this field.
Amal Ammar stated that one of the main objectives of the conference is the exchange of experience. She emphasized the importance of the Law Library and Think Tank established following the outcomes of the 8th Conference of Heads of Women’s Affairs Institutions of OIC Member States held in Cairo in 2021, noting that the center plays a significant role in sharing legislative initiatives and measures taken to support women’s rights. She added that the center also serves as a convenient platform for researchers working on women’s rights issues in OIC countries.
Ammar further stressed that in the era of globalization, the role of media in protecting national and spiritual values is of particular importance and that enhancing mutual cooperation in this area is advisable.
The conference is organized under the patronage of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Egypt’s National Council for Women. The two-day event discusses the role of women in combating religious and ideological extremism, their role in peace and security, the importance of media, culture and art in shaping public awareness regarding women, women’s and girls’ economic rights and their contribution to GDP, as well as protection from cyber violence.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Egypt, Elkhan Polukhov, also attended the meeting.
Shikhali Aliyev
Special correspondent
