Feminists took a stand: “We don’t want a state that kills” |

A picket was held in Baku, the police bought the protesters’ posters

On March 8, the Feminist Movement held a picket “8 MARCH – We are exhibiting a stance” in the center of Baku.

A group of women gathered in front of the statue of Khurshudbanu Nateva with placards in their hands.
The police escorted the gathering. They surrounded the statue and followed the picket.

The protest of the feminists was about the recent events in the country regarding women’s rights. They protested climate change, unfair wages, early marriages, domestic violence, violations of LGBTQI+ citizens, and discrimination they faced.

They also demanded the release of unjustly arrested women journalists – Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova, as well as other prisoners.

Slogans

“The government ate the money, the press paid the bill”, “Side by side both in the square and in the dungeon”, “The girl will behave freely”, “For joy, for Nargiz, for Elnara”, “We should be at the table, not on the menu”, ” A brave woman is a revolution”, “Patriarchy is harmful to health”, “We will call everyone by their name”, “Survival is also a protest”, “We don’t want a male head of the family, a thief head of the country”, “Early marriage is child abuse”, “No to the partyarchal system” – opened posters.

The police interfered with the picket, took the posters from the girls and tore them. At the beginning of the action, Gulnara Mehdiyeva, one of the organizers, was removed from the area by the police. Soon after he came back.

“They twisted my arm and took me away. Then they released me, I didn’t even understand what happened.”Gulnara Mehdiyeva said.

Violence against women has increased

Gulnara Mehdiyeva voiced the statement of the picket. He said that in 2023, the number of women killed on domestic grounds was 63. Domestic violence appeals to the Committee on Family, Women, and Children’s Problems have increased three times compared to recent years:

“Our demands in this regard are still relevant: the government should implement serious measures to prevent violence and murders against women, not on paper, but in reality! Eliminate artificial barriers in issuing protection orders. Create conditions that will contribute to women’s independent lives without economic dependence!”

Journalist Nigar Mubariz drew attention to women in prison. He said that he is here for Sevinj, Nargiz and Elnara. He demanded freedom for journalists.

“We don’t want a killing state”, “We don’t want a killing family”

After that, slogans were raised: “We don’t want a killing state”, “We don’t want a killing family”, “We say no to child marriage”.

The participants of the action then protested against bullying in schools, exploitation in homes, and early marriages. They said that the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Problems should approach this carefully.

“On this International Women’s Day, we are united in our struggle to protect the rights of working women in the country. We emphasize that we will not give up our right to equal pay for equal work and to work in favorable conditions free from discrimination and harassment in the workplace.”.

Attention to the problems of women in the workplace

The participants said that they will not hesitate to overcome all the obstacles that come their way. They invited the state institutions to work properly in the direction of solving the problems faced by women in their working life:

“We demand that the burden of parental leave does not fall only on women and that it be regulated in such a way that women do not stay away from their profession. We call for evaluation of the contribution of working women in working life! We demand fair, inclusive workplaces that support the development of women, where they can reach their potential!”

After this speech, the slogans “Equal work, fair salary!”, “Protect girls, protect the future”, and “Long live women workers” were chanted.

Sanubar Heydarova, one of the participants, drew attention to the fact that women with disabilities are discriminated against in society. He said that today they are also taking a stand for them:

“It is the state that discriminates the most. Since there are no facilities for them in institutions, they are confined to their homes. We have come here today also for their rights.”

“Side by side on the field, side by side in the dungeon”

Speaking later, journalist Aytac Tapdig drew attention to the imprisoned journalists. He said that today Sevinj Vagifgizi, Nargiz Absalamova, Elnara Gasimova are in prison for doing their work honestly.

“These brave women, who are loyal to their profession, were arrested because they exposed corruption crimes and showed the truth. We demand the rightful freedom of journalists from the government of Azerbaijan. Knowing that she will be arrested, journalist Sevinj Vagifgız, who rushed to her country and was arrested on the stairs of the plane, Nargiz Absalamova, who embarrassed the court judges with her laughter and pride, and Elnara Gasimova, who packed her prison bag in advance and did not forget to put her red lipstick in it, we stand here today. They are in prison for revealing the facts of corruption.”.

“Destroy the system, not nature”

The participants of the action also talked about environmental problems. They said that today they demand the restoration of women’s rights to live in an ecologically healthy and safe environment and an end to the prevention of women’s struggle with violence in the restoration of these rights:

“We demand an end to the atrocities carried out by the state, anti-humanist behavior against flora and fauna, pollution of the environment, looting of natural resources by officials! In this area, we express our solidarity with the women whose rightful voices are brutally silenced”.

He added that climate change affects women in particular, and women’s share of decision-making in this field should be at the forefront.

“In the COP29 Climate Committee, which will be held in our country, we condemn the inclusion of women in the committee only after critical opinions, and we declare that we will not be victims of the patriarchal management system”.

“Protect the girls, protect the future!”

Narmin Shahmarzadeh, one of the picket organizers, drew attention to the fact that girls are subjected to bullying in schools, exploitation at home, and early marriages. He demanded from the state institutions to create all conditions for girls to be safe at school and at home without being under any threat of violence:

“We demand that the state provide a life where girls do not see suicide as the only way out, where they do not have to grow up before their time, where they can spend their childhood as children”.

At the end, the feminist march was played and the picket was considered completed.

A warning letter about the picket was submitted to the Baku City Executive Authority (BAH). BCCI answered “no” to holding the picket.