UN celebrate World Population Day Theme of this year's World Population Day that is being celebrated since 1989 is gender equality. It is noted in the UN Secretary-General's message on World Population Day that "Today gender mainstreaming is essential. "Equality goes hand-in-hand with investments in education, economic opportunity and reproductive health in low-income families. Gender equality also means active participation of women in decision-making. This global challenge is being discussed in Azerbaijan as well. In this regard, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), National Assembly of Youth Organizations of Azerbaijan (NAYORA) and "Nur" Children and Youth Public Union jointly organized a concert programme in commemoration of the Day. Mr. Marco Borsotti, Un Resident Coordinator and Mr. Ali Nagiyev, Minister of Social Protection of Population in their welcoming remarks noted the special role of population issues in the county's development programmes. The chairman of the NAYORA Mr. Fuad Muradov announced that youth constitutes 65 % of Azerbaijani population and it is not occasional that the World Population Day is celebrated by a youth. The daughter of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic Ms. Leyla Aliyeva also participated in the event. After short speeches the event was continued with the concert where young singers performed patriotic songs. The anthem of World Population Day was also performed during the event. It must be noted that equality between men and women is a guiding principle of the United Nations, inscribed in the United Nations Charter. It is also central to global efforts to free people from fear and want to which nations agreed in the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. At the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, equality and women's empowerment are considered interrelated and cornerstones of development. It is also mentioned in the Secretary-General's message that "When discrimination prevents true equality, the consequences are grave. Millions of girls are "missing" from populations because their parents preferred the birth of sons. More girls than boys are out of school." The message says that poverty, gender discrimination and violence are fueling the AIDS epidemic, with the number of women and adolescent girls newly infected rising in every region. Despite these enormous challenges, women all over the world are mobilizing to secure their rights. And they are registering important successes. Global and national debates on human rights and human development are focusing on issues of gender equality ad women's empowerment. Many countries are enacting laws and policies that advance women's rights, and are supporting services to improve and protect women's health. More women are participating in politics and more men are taking responsibility as partners for change. Foto qalereya

Webmaster

© United Nations Azerbaijan 2005