打破阿塞拜疆妇女就业的障碍

Breaking Barriers to Women’s Employment in Azerbaijan

Key Findings

Women remain significantly underrepresented in several sectors of national strategic importance in Azerbaijan, despite recent government efforts to promote women's employment in male-dominated fields. Despite notable progress, gender gaps persist in the labor market:

• Labor Force Participation: 62% of women and 75% of men participate in the labor force.
• Employment Rates: 58% of women and 71% of men are employed.
• Sectoral Representation:
  • Transport and Storage Sector: Only 16.5% of women are employed.
  • Energy Sector: 10.7% of women are employed.
  • Construction Sector: 7.8% of women are employed.

These figures indicate a persistent pattern of gender-based occupational segregation, suggesting the need for further action to facilitate women's participation in these sectors.

Recommendations

To address these issues, the report provides practical recommendations for policymakers and employers:

1. For Policymakers:

   • Legislative Reforms: Further relax existing laws and regulations that limit women's employment in male-dominated sectors.
   • Incentives: Provide incentives for businesses to hire and retain women.
   • Education and Training: Enhance educational and training programs to encourage women's participation in STEM fields.

2. For Employers:

   • Workforce Profile: Develop targeted recruitment strategies to attract more women.
   • Attracting Talent: Implement mentorship and scholarship programs to encourage women to pursue careers in technical sectors.
   • Recruitment: Increase the number of women joining the company.
   • Work Environment: Foster a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
   • Professional Development: Support women's professional development and advancement to leadership roles.

Best Practices

Several organizations have demonstrated effective practices in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment:

1. Sumgait Technologies Park (STP) Group of Companies:

   • Technical Skills Training: Offer training, mentoring, and scholarships for female engineering students.

2. Coca-Cola İçecek (CCI):

   • Building Respectful and Inclusive Workplaces: Create a supportive environment for all employees.

3. AGA Group of Companies:

   • Supporting Access to Education: Provide scholarships to support women's access to education.

4. Nobel Energy:

   • Professional Development Programs: Offer programs to support women's career growth.

5. Azerconnect:

   • Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: Implement an organizational strategy that includes flexible working arrangements.

Conclusion

Broadening economic opportunities for women can drive higher economic growth and diversification, aligning with Azerbaijan’s ambitious national development goals. Reducing gender-based occupational segregation will enhance productivity and innovation, leading to substantial gains in GDP. By implementing these recommendations, Azerbaijan can create a more inclusive and equitable workforce.