In the second phase of the joint project of Ombudsman and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Empowerment of Women in the Displacement Situations, next training was held in Mingachevir for the representatives of local executive bodies, municipalities, law enforcement bodies, education, health agencies, as well as for judges.

Turan Jahangirova, Head of the Unit for Protection of the Rights of Refugees, IDS and Migrants said ensuring the interests of women and children both in activities of state agencies and in family is recognized as the priority; several laws, state programs were adopted for improving the situation of women. It was noted more than half of 500 proposals sent by Commissioner to respective state bodies had been implemented.

She stressed the importance of learning international practice for combating domestic violence, increasing the effectiveness of coordination among relevant state bodies, also of Coordination Committee to be created for ensuring systematic work and National Plan of Action which is currently being developed.

Ombudsman’s representative also focused on the importance of effective protection of the rights of women living in IDP communities, strengthening efforts for enhancing their public participation, improving orientation mechanisms of monitoring groups functioning at local executive bodies, providing legal and psychological support to victims etc.

Sabuhi Abbasov, Head of Ombudsman’s Ganja Regional Office said efforts should be increased in order correctly identifying the cases of domestic violence, and to conduct comprehensive investigation in this regard. He also informed participants about the work carried out by the Regional Office for raising awareness about ensuring and protecting women rights

Participants shared their views, duties and made several recommendations for future work, proposed to prepare social commercials and programs in mass-media.