Olga Grebennikova - UNIFEM
Olga Grebennikova - UNIFEM
While IDPs as a
whole are vulnerable, IDP women remain strong: UNIFEM Launches report
on “The Status of IDP Women in
A rapid Assessment on “The
Status of IDP Women in
The UNIFEM Assessment was carried out by the Azerbaijan-based
Based on the responses of over 230 IDP women, alongside those of
local women, experts from the NGO and government sector, this Assessment
provides a snapshot of IDP women’s lives and concerns through their own
voices.
“This Assessment will act as a platform for future advocacy work of
the National Network of IDP Women”
said the National Coordinator of UNIFEM regional project “Women for Conflict
Prevention and Peace-Building in the
“While IDPs as a group are
very vulnerable, IDP women remain very
strong, - , Ms. Hijran Huseynova, Chairwoman of the State Committee for Family,
Women and Children’s Issues, reiterated in her opening speech. “They maintain
the family and care for the children, the elderly and those disabled as a result
of the conflict, and in so doing, meet a lot of challenges. Therefore improving
the overall situation of IDPs remains the main priority of the government of
“At the UN, we are very
good at advocating on behalf of vulnerable groups, but such a report allows
the women to speak for themselves and for us to listen said Mr.
Poverty and unemployment were named by IDP women as their greatest
challenge – with there being very little in the way of economic opportunities
beyond state assistance. The most pressing needs and priorities identified were
inadequate infrastructure in serving the needs of the communities such as
medical centers, educational resources, as well as public baths, access to safe
drinking water, passable roads and proper shelters.
Based on the results of interviews, analysis of government
obligations, including those under the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1325, this Assessment offers recommendations to the
Government of Azerbaijan, civil society and international organization on how to
improve the situation of IDP women.
These include strengthening the gender components of state laws and
programmes specific to IDPs; ensuring that local governments have the resources
and understanding necessary to provide adequate public services for women, with
particular focus on economic opportunities and access to health care services;
strengthen links of IDP women with international and non-governmental
organizations to build women’s capacity to participate in public life and
widening possibilities for job creation.
“The report documents a real situation which IDP women and girls face
currently, - said Mr. Mahammad Maharramov, Deputy Head of the Department for
Problems of Refugees, IDPs, Migration and Work with International Organizations
at the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. “In spite of the huge efforts the
Government of Azerbaijan is undertaking to support IDPs, we have to admit that
situation is still very difficult in many areas and more must be done.” he
said.
“This Assessment, its findings and recommendations will be a useful
reference for us on the way to overcoming the isolation of IDP women, to help
them participate and live in improved conditions and achieve a better standard
of living”, said Ms. Huseynova.
For
more information,
please contact: Olga Grebennikova, Communication Specialist, UNIFEM Regional
Project “Women for Conflict Prevention and
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UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations, providing
financial support and technical assistance to innovative programs promoting
women's human rights, their economic and political empowerment, and gender
equality in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.unifem.org