“Power Ladies” Affinity Group from Azerbaijan

Unity as Strength

Tuesday 1 May 2007 by Shahla Ismailova

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Women’s Representation and Equal Opportunities, p1
Power Ladies, p1
Strategies, p1
Contact, p1

Women’s Representation and Equal Opportunities

Hundreds of legal documents and norms to ensure the equal opportunities, numerous leadership programs, political reforms, gender budgets – all this seems not to be enough for equal participation of women in decision making. Regardless of the fact that women constitute the majority of world population and the women’s role in political, economic, social and cultural empowerment of the countries has been accepted, still the representation of women in decision-making positions remains extremely poor. Why do we, women, need to be represented in the leadership position? Is it just an ambition to be promoted or it is an opportunity to raise the women’s issues, demand the equal gender laws and lobby our interests? What are we lacking to have the equal opportunity in practice – in real life? Are we united enough to fight towards our aims?

Power Ladies

All these and many other questions will hopefully be addressed within the framework of the activity of the newly established “Power Ladies” Affinity Group from Azerbaijan. The group, uniting 22 dedicated women, who are active and conscious enough to understand that the “equal opportunities” are still on paper and women are still deprived of the minimum needs under the decorative words such as “transition period”, “national mentality”, “old traditions”, “family obligations”, “gender values” used in various forms and contexts. However, the content does not change – women remain to be underrepresented in the decision-making positions and are lacking equal opportunities all over the world with slight differentiations.

We, Power Ladies, reckon that we are powerful enough to initiate the important talks about changing perceptions and stereotypes in our country and are capable enough to make actions.

Strategies

Along with regular national meetings, we expect the international debates, inputs and exchanges as well. We plan to share with our discussions, recommendations and conclusions with all the women of the World though the website of European Feminists Forum (EFF) and the website of Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD), which is a coordinating organization of “Power Ladies” Affinity Group. If you want to join our initiative and make an input to the expected discussions, articles and reports, please send us an email to get instructions and find out about eligibility criteria.

We believe that the UNITY is the STRENGTH and we are looking forward to cooperation.

In solidarity, Shahla Ismailova
Coordinator of “Power Ladies” Affinity Group
Chairwoman of Women’s Association for Rational Development