• 05 Nov 2025

At BAAU the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature organized a roundtable discussion dedicated to UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equality, titled “Women in World Literature.”

The main aim of the event was to draw attention to the equal rights and opportunities of women and girls in all spheres of society, to highlight the need to eliminate discrimination and violence against women, and to prevent cases of gender-based violence, early and forced marriage, and human trafficking.

In her opening remarks, Associate Professor Sevda Rzayeva, Vice-Rector for International Relations at BAAU, spoke about the role of women in social development. She emphasized that building a sustainable and just future requires the active participation of women and female scholars in education, science, and culture, breaking down remnants of patriarchal barriers.

Later, Associate Professor Fatma Majidova, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, discussed the representation of female characters in world literature — not only as aesthetic figures but also as carriers of deep social, moral, and feminist values. She noted that such academic discussions contribute to the formation of gender equality, humanistic, and social justice principles among students, fostering awareness that benefits not only women and girls, but also non-binary and queer identities seeking visibility and equality.

The roundtable brought together several distinguished guests, including Associate Professor Khumar Dadash-Alekberova, Head of the Department of Arabic Philology at the Institute of Oriental Studies of ANAS; Aytekin Guliyeva, representative of the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children’s Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan; and Dr. Najiba Bagirzade, Senior Researcher at the Nizami Ganjavi Museum of Azerbaijani Literature.

During the event, participants emphasized that studying the theme of women and gender in literature is not only of academic or artistic importance but also a vital social and feminist issue that challenges stereotypes and promotes gender equality. The roundtable was recognized as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s empowerment, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and human rights, as well as promoting a culture of non-violence and equality among all genders, including transgender and two-spirit individuals.

At the conclusion of the event, participants were awarded certificates in recognition of their contributions.