On February 11, in the main building of ANAS, a conference was held on the theme "The role of Women and Girls and Science as relates to the Sustainable Development Goals", dedicated to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The event was organized by the Presidium and Women's Council of ANAS.
First, a minute of silence honored the memory of those who died as a result of the earthquake in the southeastern part of the Republic of Turkeye.
Opening the conference with an introductory speech, Vice-President of ANAS, academician Irada Huseynova spoke about the serious consequences of a strong earthquake in fraternal Turkeye. She noted that this earthquake is one of the most terrible events over the past 100 years, emphasizing that Azerbaijan will always be materially and spiritually close to the brotherly country and provide all kinds of support.
The Vice President stated that February 11 was declared the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 22, 2015. Noting that this year the theme of the international day is “The role of women, girls and science in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals,” the academic stressed that the main goal is to ensure the role of women and girls in sustainable development, as well as their active participation in scientific and technological fields.
Academician Irada Huseynova, noting that today in our country special attention is paid to the development of women in all areas, including success in scientific activities, emphasized that the vast majority of employees working in subordinate scientific enterprises and organizations of ANAS and the Ministry of Science and Education are women.
“Our women make a significant contribution in all areas where they work,” said Irada Huseynova, speaking about the innovations of our outstanding women scientists. She spoke about the invaluable services in the development of medical science of the outstanding Azerbaijani scientist, Honored Scientist of Azerbaijan, Academician Zarifa Aliyeva, whose whole life and work is an excellent example for our women. The Vice President paid special attention to the acceptance at the international and national levels of the serious contribution of Academician Zarifa Aliyeva to science as a fundamental researcher.
Academician Irada Huseynova recalled that recently President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to hold the 100th anniversary of the outstanding scientist and noted that work had begun on holding a conference dedicated to the anniversary of Zarifa Aliyeva. She also said that today's event is a great contribution to the memory of academician Zarifa Aliyeva.
Then the executive director of the Azerbaijani Science Foundation Mehriban Imanov noted that the women of Azerbaijan have always stood out for their social activities and our state has created all conditions for solving women's problems.
Mehriban Imanova said that many women researchers from institutions subordinate to ANAS and the Ministry of Science and Education took part in the projects of the Azerbaijan Science Foundation. Referring to the Foundation's annual competition for young scientists and researchers, the Executive Director noted that 33 out of 53 people participating in the ongoing V grant competition and 47 out of 64 people in the VI grant competition are women. She also noted that the results of the targeted competition for grants "Karabakh-Azerbaijan!" have already been announced and 28 of the 52 participants in this competition are women.
At the end of her speech, Mehriban Imanova called on Azerbaijani women to actively participate in the next VII competition, which will be announced by the Foundation.
Then the Acting Vice-President of ANAS, academician Govkhar Bakhshaliyeva spoke, who emphasized that in our country great attention is always paid to the role of women in society and science, their development and protection of their rights. She said that national leader Heydar Aliyev attached great importance to the effective implementation of policies related to the role of women in society, their broad representation in state building, science, culture, education, healthcare, sports and other areas. Academician Govhar Bakhshaliyeva noted that this policy has been successfully continued by the President of the country Ilham Aliyev and great opportunities have been created for the active participation of our women in the life of society.
The scientist stressed that the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva is an example for Azerbaijani women with her social and political activity and scientific creativity. As the leader of the modern Azerbaijani women's movement, she actively participates in the development of our country.
“A great generation of women scientists has grown up in Azerbaijan. Among them are prominent statesmen, scientists, cultural figures and public and political figures,” Academician Govkhar Bakhshaliyeva said, speaking about the role of women in the public life of ANAS, and recalled our women scientists who have achieved great success in science.
Speaking at the conference, the chairman of the Women's Council of ANAS, Doctor of Philosophy Rena Mirzazade said that the team of ANAS consists mainly of women, and spoke about gender equality in science, the situation in this area in Azerbaijan and the wide opportunities created by the government. Rena Mirzazade said that the role of Azerbaijani women in society began from ancient times, and noted that women are the inventors of scientific and technical innovations.
The Chairman of the Council noted that a number of events dedicated to the International Day of Participation of Women and Girls in Science will be held at various institutes of ANAS.
At the event, the General Director of the Institute of Physiology, Professor Ulduz Hashimova, leading Researcher of the Institute of Archeology, Ethnography and Anthropology, Doctor of Philosophy in History, Associate Professor Vafa Makhmudova, head of the Laboratory of the Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Doctor of Philosophy in Biology, Associate Professor Konul Gafarbeyli and Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists and Experts of the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology Jeyran Huseynli made presentations on topics "Gerontological research in the context of sustainable development goals", "Women-Archaeologists of Azerbaijan", "Efficient use of water in our modern world, realities and goals", "Women in Azerbaijani Science".