In 2022, the UN human rights thematic group (HRTG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ombudsperson’s Office to establish a joint working group to undertake actions to promote the universal values of human rights, the principles of gender equality, and all aspects of the rule of law in the country. The action plan for 2022 prioritized monitoring and following up on recommendations of the UN human rights mechanisms and institutional capacity-building.
The HRTG, together with the Bar Association and regional offices of the Ombudsperson, organized a monthly free legal aid campaign for members of vulnerable groups in Baku and surrounding districts, reaching over 500 people. In collaboration with the Ombudsperson’s Office and Baku State University Law School, the HRTG launched a year-long campaign to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and launched www.humanrightsday.az, an online platform that provides access to human rights educational resources and publications, and which will be managed by students.
A momentous 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign was carried out in sixteen districts of Azerbaijan, reaching nearly 2,700 people (70% women and girls), most of them aged 16-30. Fifteen bloggers, artists, filmmakers, painters, psychologists, and sociologists were engaged in the campaign to augment the reach of the campaign to broader audiences. This year’s campaign examined social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination and disseminated information on preventing GBV, especially against those left furthest behind.
The UN High-Level Advocacy Group on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) put a spotlight on challenges such as gender-based violence and women’s economic empowerment, through joint TV interviews, visits to the Women’s Resource Centers, and joint conferences and workshops. The adoption and possible modalities of implementation of the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (WPS), the role of women in mediation and security were the focus of the series of high -level events and capacity building programs in 2022, including national policy dialogue and international conference on WPS.
A Declaration of Intent (DoI) was signed between the UN and the Agency for State Support to NGOs in 2022, to collaborate on enhancing capacities for a vibrant and diverse civil society that represents and supports people most left behind. The UN supported a comprehensive capacity-building programme combining training with individual mentorship for 50 civil society organizations (CSOs) that covered topics on climate change mitigation and adaptation plans, community- based climate policy projects, policy analysis and formulation, communication, advocacy, and alliance-building. The Agency for State Support to NGOs replicated this programme, multiplying its effect.
