Celebrating Women- only once a year!

Today is March 8th- International Women's Day. The day when all the men around the world (or at least in places where this day is celebrated) congratulate women around them. They buy them presents, boxes of chocolates, and flowers. In fact, florists are probably the happiest people on this day, because its THE day of profits. Its great and all when you look at it from a festive point of view bu...

The flowers, the chocolate and the presents: 

Don't we deserve flowers every day rather than just one day in a calendar that has 364 other days based on the logic of all the messages and cards that are sold on this day (oh women are like flowers, they need to be treated well and sought after type of cards and messages)? How difficult is it to buy flowers for the women surrounding you on other days? Whats the excuse? And can I just say this?! I don't need anyone to take care of me thank you very much! I am perfectly capable of looking after myself, even if that means staying alone for the rest of my life and being called a feminist- because thats the excuse people who think otherwise tend to use.

Oh, its March 8th, lets go buy mom a present?! Why?! There are no other days, no other reasons to buy moms presents? They take care of us all their life, and yet, the only time we justify presents is on March 8th? Or what about our wives? Our sisters? Our friends? And I am not talking about massive, expensive presents, I am talking about simple things to express appreciation. Full stop!

Respect:

And what about Respect? Is this the only day in the year when women get to be respected? Not harassed? (Though I am sure as I write these words millions of women out there are getting harassed) Not treated like crap? Are employed as secretaries and lower paid jobs just because they are women and even if they are qualified to do better jobs (not to mention higher payed), just because their male boss(es) simply thinks he can, he does?!

Violence, tradition, norms:

What about violence? Do we honestly think that by being so sweet and kind on this day makes women who suffer violence suffer it less? Men who beat their wives, daughters and sisters less? Brothers who are ordered by their fathers to murder their sisters simply because some other man, looked at them? Young girls who are married off to older men simply because their fathers want to? Governments who pretend to care but never take measures against violence at home, gender equality and early marriages? 

And what about women who are forced to stay at home and take care of the households? Who are not allowed to study? Who are not allowed to travel? Who are not allowed to do anything?

Yes, it is March 8th, yes, we are flowers, yes, you love us all very much but lets just pause the frenzy for a moment. Perhaps, March 8th, should be the day, when we remind ourselves of the things other powerful, inspiring women have done in the world and take a lesson. Stop for a moment and think of all the injustice that was done against women and all the crimes that still are being committed against women simply because men can? Perhaps, this should be the day, when all of us, remind our governments and the world that a lot more needs to be done to improve the equality, to change mindsets, to educate, and then celebrate the cause. Happy International Women's Day! 

Was it really a good year for Azerbaijan?

Today, President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, went on TV and congratulated his countrymen with the New Year and World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day. In his speech, the president talked about 2010 and its overall success for his country. Below is a rough translation from his speech [AZ]:

[...] Despite international financial crisis, Azerbaijan achieved great successes in 2010. Our economy grew by 5%, population income by 12% and inflation was only 5.7% [...] In 2010 we have built 45 medical institutions, more than 70 schools (including those that were renovated), 5 Olympic Sports Centers. Minimum pensions and salaries were raised [...]

Foreign policy too saw much success in 2010. The number of our friends and countries wanting to become our partners is growing... Our relations with international organizations are already established, and are based on mutual respect, mutual trust, and mutual interests [...]

We have had large infrastructure projects implemented in 2010. In transportation sector, construction [...] In 2010, construction of ship building factory was started in Baku. International Sea Trade Port's construction was initiated in Baku [...]

Talking about the territorial integrity, the President spoke of the importance attached to the resolution of Nagorno Karabakh and its future status: "Azerbaijan will never allow for creation of a second Armenian state on our own territory". Adding that those who live in Nagorno Karabakh, and the Azerbaijanis returning there, will only live under autonomy status.

A number of other things was mentioned but wouldn't it better if the President of Azerbaijan, in the spirit of a new year/ new beginning said something else? Something "analogu olmayan" (never said or done before) for a change? 

That maybe as of 2011, he is raising salaries/ pensions/ stipends of all teachers, doctors, professors,  students, pensioners by not just 5 or 10 manats but actually by couple hundred? That there will be no more corruption in this country! That people will actually live and not try to survive every day! 

That this year he is going to make this country get rid of all its bad habits it has made itself known for in the world (and no! I am not talking about unprecedented double digit economic growth that Azerbaijan saw once back few years ago) like granting freedom of expression, provision of full equality among men and women, protection of human rights, liberty and above all democracy?! 

That finally, things are going to change in Azerbaijan to the good rather than worse! That he promises, that the country wont be ranked among the lowest when there would be reports on media freedom! That instead of laundering billions of manats, investment will be made for bright and intelligent future generation! That they will no longer have to pay for their grades and diplomas! That these young people will be educated according to international standards, when lectures wont be boring and based on soviet style education but modernized and taught by people who actually want to teach (rather than those who see their students as currency signs)! 

That Azerbaijan will respect its history and stop demolishing its old cites (especially in Baku)! That finally, lies and fake promises and statements will be replaced by honor, respect, and freedom!

That this year, he promises that as a President of this small and yet very rich country, he is going to use every possible resource at his hand to get his people to trust the government once again rather than full them around and keep them under control, monitored and censored?! 

I guess not... But who knows, maybe there is still some hope for the next year (or years to come)... 

Azerbaijan ranks 100 out of 134 countries on Global Gender Gap 2010

World Economic Forum, released its 2010 Global Gender Gap report. According to the report, Azerbaijan ranks 100, dropping some 40 places over the last four years, perhaps finally getting to the right ranking after all these years. 

However, officials, like Jale Aliyeva, who is also among few female parliamentary representatives believes that the drop in ranking has to do with one- sided approach (whatever thats supposed to mean). Adding that, women's role increased in social political spheres. Its enough to look at women's participation in municipal elections- it increased seven fold. According to Ms. Aliyeva, there are also many female candidates running for the parliamentary elections (scheduled November 7th). 

What Ms. Aliyeva omits to say is that municipalities in Azerbaijan hold no value in regional governance. Nor do they do much work apart from collecting land tax. In fact, the only reason why Azerbaijan established municipalities back in 1999 was because of requirement put forward by the Council of Europe. They employ small number of people and survive by revenues received from selling and renting land and state subsidies. So women's participation and increased number mean very little. 

And as it can be seen from the table, Azerbaijan ranks 113 in political empowerment so I wonder where are those increased numbers that Ms. Aliyeva is talking about. 

Education is another sore spot. In fact, it is perhaps the worst. According to the Index, Azerbaijan ranks 93rd overall. 

Azerbaijan did manage to get in the rank of countries with Upper Middle Income (3,946- 12, 195USD) with a minimum salary and pension of 85EUR. An interesting fact...

Of course, there are myriad of reasons why Azerbaijan's performance dropped on an international scale. There is a law on gender equality but no one pays attention to it. There is still no law on domestic violence. Patriarchal values and traditions persist with girls taken out of schools or not allowed to continue with higher education due to marriage and obligations to their new families. Early marriage is another problem still wide- spread and most importantly women still do not know much of their rights, which remains a pressing issue all across the country.

These existing conditions will remain, so long as nothing is done on government levels. First thing first, the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Issues must present itself as credible institution because to this day, it is regarded as a joke, a place for women to gather, hold conferences, do training  on don't know what, meet, and still nor produce any tangible results. No one takes it seriously, perhaps its time some one does...