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scientists for the whole world. They are the contributions of our women. 
Now we are creating our own state. We are proud because we have brave and 
intelligent people. We are happy that we have women bringing up and increasing 
our people. 
It is our duty to take care of our women. The Constitution of Azerbaijan includes 
the universal values on women rights. Today the position of women in our country 
is much higher than the position of women in other countries.
Now we are striving to develop our economy, the welfare of our population. I am 
sure that we shall succeed. We have already overcome the socio-economic crisis 
by the end of the seventh year since the independence of Azerbaijan. The economy 
and social life of Azerbaijan are developing. In the next years our economy will 
develop further. It means that the welfare of the women will be improved, too. But 
we want our country to reach the level of the economically developed countries. 
However, the literacy and freedom of our women are not lower than those of women 
of the developed countries. It is a reality. We are fi nishing the 20
th
 century with this 
reality. 
It was quoted here what the French writer Louis Aragon once said: «Woman is 
the future of the life of mankind». It is true. There is no life, no present, no future 
without women. 
I wish that the Azerbaijani women will achieve more successes. On the part of 
the government, we shall create all necessary conditions for it. Many problems were 
discussed at the assembly on women's problems last September. They will be solved, 
there will be a presidential decree on it, too. This decree will be issued very soon. 
Our economy does not have big potentials. However, using all the opportunities 
we try to solve the problems of women. Women are the most respected members of 
our society. I congratulate you once again. 
Even though I am not a poet, I have the spirit of a poet. Therefore, I love women. 
Without loving women, one can never become a poet. Poets really feel women 
better. 
I want to mention another feature of our women. It is their beauty. In the past we 
were not informed about other countries. There were arguments in the past – the 
women of which nationality are more beautiful? But I always think that our women 
are the most beautiful. I have already been to other countries. So I can conclude that 
In the Name of the Azerba  ani Woman

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our women are the most beautiful of all in the world. It is my own opinion. Thus, I 
recommend our men to love and respect our women. 
I cordially congratulate you and wish you the best. Thank you. 
In the Name of the Azerba  ani Woman

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SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN 
HEYDAR ALIYEV AT THE CEREMONY DEDICATED 
TO THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN`S DAY
Gulustan Palace, March 7, 2000
Dear ladies!
Dear mothers and sisters! 
I congratulate you on the International Women`s Day. Today this hall seems more 
beautiful than ever. Because the most of the audience are women. The beauty of the 
women inspire us, the men.
Zahra khanum said that you are always looking forward to this date. Just know that 
men are  also looking forward to this holiday. Because on this day men demonstrate 
their care and attention to the women more. 
It is one of the best holidays. Because it is dedicated to women. The role of 
women in the society is great. There is no meaning of life without women. 
The Azerbaijani women are always distinguished with their intelligence, wisdom, 
loyalty, heroism and high maternity. The 20
th
 century was the age of  emancipation of  
women. The Azerbaijani women used the historic opportunities effectively, restored 
their right in the society. After the 1920s suitable conditions were created for the 
emancipation of the women in Azerbaijan. 
We no longer have this problem in Azerbaijan. Because the Azerbaijani women 
were emancipated in the 1930s. Since they have hold worty positions in our 
society. 
We are proud that the Azerbaijani women have contributed to all the spheres in 
our country. Thanks to the activity of the women, the education has developed and 
reached high level, people have become literate in Azerbaijan. Thanks to the efforts 
of the women, our medicine has developed, too. I mentioned these fi elds, because 
more than 60 per cent of who work in these fi elds is female. 
Besides their contributions to the society, women must be respected also because 
of their being mothers. As for the gender equality, I must say that women work more 
than men. There has been a cliche since the ancient times that men must earn money, 
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maintain family, while women must be housewives. However, it is no longer like 
this. Because both men and women work and earn money now. They both maintain 
family and raise their children. But there is a big difference between them. Because 
women give birth to children, care for babies. No men can do that. Our respect to 
women is increasing. Because there was an unfair attitude towards women in the 
past. But now it has changed. Now Azerbaijan is independent. It is becoming a 
legal, democratic, secular state, pursuing the market economy and integrating into 
the world culture. 
The role of women in all the fi elds are very important. In secular state women are 
free and enjoy all the rights. Our women achieved this freedom within a short time. 
Now they contribute to our society and our people. Every woman has hard duties 
now. The Armenian-Azerbaijani confl ict over the Nagorno-Karabakh has a very big 
impact on women. Because a lot of women have lost their husbands, brothers in the 
war. Besides, women accept tragedies more emotionally than men. The Azerbaijani 
women suffer from the losses. Therefore solidarity is stronger among women. 
Some territories of Azerbaijan have been occupied by Armenia. Over one million 
Azerbaijani citizens have become refugees and live in tents now. Mostly women 
suffer from the diffi culties of such a life. I congratulate especially the mothers of the 
martyrs and the women living in tents on this holiday.  
The Azerbaijani women are also distinguished with their beauty. Our men should 
not seek for beautiful women in other countries. Because the most beautiful women 
are in Azerbaijan. Women just need more attention, care and respect. 
Attention and care may be in different forms. Men must always respect women, 
pay much attention to them. It is a human culture to respect and pay attention to 
women. I wish our men never forgot respect and care for our women. 
The women hold worthy positions in many spheres in Azerbaijan. However, 
we have not achieved what we want. Yesterday I signed a special decree «On the 
implementation of the state policy on women in the Republic of Azerbaijan». I am 
satisfi ed with the attitude of the women towards this document. I assure you that the 
decree will be implemented into life. 
I think that women must be represented in the government structures of Azerbaijan 
more. I have made a decision that there must be a department dealing with the 
problems of the women in all the executive bodies, and one of the heads of those 
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