Baku, 15 July 2009 - On July 15th the first women journalists’ forum was held in Baku. The role of women journalists in socio-political life of Azerbaijan, professional problems, achievements in the area of enlightenment, and problems in journalism were discussed during the forum.

  The President of the Azerbaijan Press Council Aflatun Amashev announced that a 50/50 parity was established in the number of male and female journalists in the country.

   The member of Milli Majlis Qanira Pashayeva dwelled on the achievements of women journalists and expressed her hope that there will be more women journalists in the media management positions.

   According to Bruno Pouezat, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Azerbaijan, “gender equality stands high on the UN agenda. At the 2000 Millennium Summit in New York the world leaders committed themselves to achieving Millennium Development Goals one of which is MDG3 on gender equality.”

   He went on saying that women journalists help see things from a different angle. Describing female journalists as “an active minority in a profession that remains dominated by men”, the UN Resident Coordinator encouraged them to cover social issues because they are vitally important. “Media are natural partners of the UN in bringing about positive change and supporting development”, concluded Mr. Pouezat.