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Azerbaijan’s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva met UN Population Fund’s Executive Director, deputy UN Secretary General Babatunde Osotimehin, November 12.

Mehriban Aliyeva and Vice-president of the Foundation, UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Goodwill Ambassador Leyla Aliyeva welcomed the delegation led by UN Population Fund’s Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin.

Mehriban Aliyeva noted that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was one of the largest and most active non-government organizations not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the region. It was mentioned that social issues, especially those concerning women and children, have been one of the priority directions in the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s activity. Bringing to attention joint projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation together with UN’s Population Fund and the State Committee for Family, Woman and Child Affairs, Mehriban Aliyeva underscored that, historically, women in our country played an active role in the public and political life, and occupied a significant place.

Noting “The right to vote was granted to women in Azerbaijan earlier than in a number of European countries”, Mehriban Aliyeva said Azerbaijani women were active in various fields.

Necessity of implementing new projects on the call of the contemporary world was underlined. Works carried out in our country towards putting an end to domestic violence were talked about. Touching upon, along eradicating violence against women, importance of providing them social support and taking rehabilitation actions, Mehriban Aliyeva said concrete relevant projects have been implemented in our country and rehabilitation centres opened in regions.

Mehriban Aliyeva expressed confidence that the visit by the delegation led UN Population Fund’s Executive Director, deputy UN Secretary General Babatunde Osotimehin to our country would stimulate cooperation, and that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation was ready to continue cooperation in future too.

Thanking for the sincere meeting, Babatunde Osotimehin said he took great pride in the cooperation with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The UN official emphasized with delight that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s activities served high purposes.

At the end of the meeting, Babatunde Osotimehin presented UN Population Fund’s special diploma and souvenir to Mehriban Aliyeva for her services in the sphere of protecting woman and child rights and gender equality in Azerbaijan.