Sustainable Development Goals at Baku State University.

A scientific seminar titled “Gender Equality: Problems and Perspectives” was held at Baku State University (BSU), organized by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology.

At the seminar, Rena Ibrahimova, Head of the Department of Gender and Applied Psychology at BSU, delivered a keynote presentation.

Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Psychology, Rovshan Javadov, emphasized the importance of studying gender issues from various perspectives in the modern era. He noted that gender equality remains a relevant and pressing issue across all areas of society.

In her presentation, Rena Ibrahimova highlighted that gender equality is an integral component of all United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She stressed that gender equality plays a crucial role in peace, security, quality education, and social welfare. In this context, she underlined the particular importance of increasing women’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions. According to the speaker, the involvement of women in peacekeeping activities contributes positively to establishing effective communication with local communities in conflict zones, building trust, and ensuring sustainable peace.

The speaker also referred to global experience, discussing the level of women’s representation in law enforcement and human rights institutions. She noted that in recent years, the number of women working in these fields in Azerbaijan has increased, and that women are successfully represented in various positions within the law enforcement system.

Rena Ibrahimova further pointed out that gender equality is also reflected in the arts. She provided a gender-based analysis of the painting “Bond of Union” by the famous Dutch artist Maurits Cornelis Escher, noting that although it is easy to identify the gender of the two heads connected by a ribbon in the artwork, the main message lies not in their gender but in their equal representation. She emphasized that both figures are depicted in the same form, with equal value and status, symbolizing gender equality.

At the end of the seminar, extensive discussions were held on the topic, and participants’ questions were answered. In the concluding part of the event, Rena Ibrahimova expressed her gratitude to female employees of BSU’s security service for their work and presented them with gifts.

SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)