EPF is committed to the principle of gender equality. As part of this, EPF has mainstreamed gender throughout its strategy, starting from within the organization, through collaboration with partners, civil society organizations, funders, and the government, as well as through the design, implementation, and evaluation of all internal and grant–funded programs and projects. EPF presently implements six programs and each of them bears an element of gender mainstreaming and addresses systemic and structural practices that create barriers to gender equality.
Even though men and women in Azerbaijan have been granted equal rights, the level of political, economic, and social participation of women is very low. This is caused by both the lack of awareness of gender bias and deeply rooted patriarchal ideas regarding women. These factors prevent women from active participation in politics, and in turn, from the advancement of their political roles and social life.
Central to improving gender mainstreaming in self-governance is to consult with women themselves. Thus, in order to enhance women’s participation in local decision-making, EPF, in the framework of the “Gender Mainstreaming in Local Governance” project supported by the Canada Fund, has piloted the creation of Women’s Chambers. Women’s Chambers serve to promote women’s participation in local self-governance. The concept is the first to be incorporated into the community-municipal context. Women’s Chambers, which consist of 5-7 women each, have already been established in five municipalities (Lankaran, Mingachevir, Siyazan, Zaqatala, and Gabala).
The absence of financial resources is another challenge to women’s empowerment. In order to improve the economic situation of women and eradicate practices which discriminate against women, EPF runs programs that support and protect women entrepreneurs. The project “Socio-Economic Empowerment of Women in the Flood-Affected Rural Areas of Azerbaijan,” implemented by Leader Women Public Union (LWPU) through EPF’s Open Door Program, focuses on the socio-economic development of women residing in one flood-affected rural area, enabling them to adjust to new socio-economic conditions and develop a strategy to successfully address their dire situation. The LWPU has conducted a qualitative assessment of the conditions, needs, and interests of target group consisting of women, and as a result of the assessment, provided training courses for local women on business and entrepreneurship opportunities. EPF also published the manual “Small Business for Rural Women” in the Azerbaijani language.
Another project “Gender Equality for Municipal Development” implemented by the Women Association for Rational Development (WARD) through EPF’s Open Door Program focuses on promoting social entrepreneurship among women that will contribute not only to the reduction of poverty, but also to community development and social responsibility. The development of female entrepreneurship will lead to economic independence and empowerment of women.
Copyright © 2007 Eurasia Partnership. Last updated: 14 May 2012
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