Eight civil society representatives from Azerbaijan actively participated in the international conference Synergy for change: Civil society raising awareness on violence against women in a context of global challenges - Gender Equality held in Budapest. The event was part of the Ending violence against women: multi-country programme, which aims to empower civil society organisations (CSOs) to advocate for the prevention and combatting of violence against women and promoting gender equality.

A total of 91 civil society representatives across 26 countries, experts, and international organisations discussed how to address persistent and emerging challenges to gender equality and combating violence against women.  Attendees engaged in various activities, including presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, combining academic insights with valuable networking opportunities.

Shahla Ismayil, Chairperson of the Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD), highlighted the event’s comprehensive approach. “The event, consisting of diverse methodological elements, such as presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, provided a good combination of both academic insights and networking possibilities,” she said. Ismayil emphasised that the role of civil society in combating all forms of discrimination and violence against women was vital, with all participants recommending that member states create an enabling environment for civil society.

Following the conference, the project Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence in Azerbaijan will organise follow-up debriefing sessions and workshops to enhance the involvement of NGOs and youth organisations in preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in Azerbaijan.