Representatives from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Dagestan became Recipients of the “Young Women in the Caucasus” Award
11:08, March 27, 2013 | Press Release
“On March 25 within the frames of “For Peace in the South Caucasus” conference held in Yerevan, the winners of “Young Women in the Caucasus” Award were determined. As a result of selection, journalist Khadija Ismayilova (Azerbaijan), NGO activists Zaruhi Hovhannisyan (Armenia) and Malikat Djabirova (Dagestan)were recognized as winners out of 15 nominees”, reports correspondent of the “Caucasian Knot”.
Launched on March 23, “For Peace in the South Caucasus” conference united 40 representatives from non-governmental organizations: 21 participants represented Armenia, while, 19 of them represented countries throughout the South Caucasus and regions of Russia.
The event organizer Gyulnara Shahinyan, board member “Democracy Today” NGO and the UN Special Rapporteur on Slavery, noted that the “Young Women in the Caucasus” Prize was awarded to the women that fulfilled significant activities in the field of human rights protection and peacekeeping. “These young women are activists in their society and they have great potential”, she stated.
“Young Women in the Caucasus” Award is a living organism. It is not only an award and a celebration, but also serious work and stimulation for the project participants”, said Gyulnara Shahinyan by adding that the goal of the award was to train active women as experts who could take part in negotiation procedures during conflict resolution.
Representatives of Azerbaijan didn’t attend the “For Peace in the South Caucasus” conference as well as the awarding ceremony of “Young Women in the Caucasus” Prize.
“It is a great pity that our Azerbaijani colleagues couldn’t join us here, although everything had been thoroughly arranged. However, we comprehend that we have been walking on thinning ice all these years and we do our best to not to fail. We must protect and preserve each member of our project”, pointed out Shahinyan.
The winner of the third prize, Malikat Dzhabirova, head of “Mother and Child” regional NGO from Dagestan, has been actively involved in promotion of tolerance among the youth, particularly, young women since 2005.
Malikat’s scopes of activities are targeted at the formation and advancing of legal environment in Dagestan. According to the estimates of Malikat Dzhabirova, there is a low level of education in Dagestan, “therefore, the majority of women don’t know their basic rights and are legally untrained”.
“Mother and Child” NGO targets at the protection of women’s rights and renders consultancy to them in relation to various issues. “I do nothing supernatural, I merely want my compatriots to be happy, live in liberty and struggle for their freedom”, she stated.
Malikat Dzhabirova highlighted that in the current standing of the Dagestan conflict, this award will intensify her efforts to continue struggling for peace. “We have a tradition when a woman drops her handkerchief at the feet of fighting dzhigits by immediately stopping any conflict. This is why a woman should put all efforts in the conflict resolution”, she said.
“I cannot overestimate the scope of my activities. I have always thought I don’t deserve winning an award, because everything I do comes from inside. This award commits me to move ahead”, noted Zaruhi Hovhannisyan.
Hovhannisyan represents “Army in Reality” civil initiative and is engaged in the protection of the rights of servicemen as well as takes part in the investigation of death cases in the army jointly with human rights organizations in Armenia, in particular, Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor office.
“Our goal is to eradicate violence and corruption in the Armenian Army”, she stated.
Specifically, “Army in Reality” civil initiative undertook the investigation into the beating of a military doctor Vahe Avetyan in the restaurant complex “Harsnaqar.”
Sofia Shakirova, awardee of the previous year, rewarded Khadija Ismayilova from Azerbaijan with the first prize of “Young Women in the Caucasus” Award.
The scope of Ismayilova’s activities is human rights, democracy and right to free elections.
“A separate topic of her investigations is corruption. She revealed corruption in the highest echelons of the government, which didn’t remain unpunished”, stressed Sofia Shakirova.
Last year Ismayilova became the focus of international attention due to slander and blackmail she was subjected to in Azerbaijan. “Nonetheless, she heads radio “Azadlig”, works in “Free Europe” radio station, teaches young journalists investigation technologies and shares her experience with them, thus preparing a new shift”, noted Shakirova.