The current stage of research on gender issues in Azerbaijan

Abstract

It can be noted that the completed first stage of the development of gender studies and the study of the problem of women in Azerbaijan as a whole was educational in nature, aimed at familiarizing scientists and the active part of society with the basic principles of gender equality. At the same time, for obvious reasons, there was a clear bias towards greater attention to the problems of women than men. This situation is not unique, it took place in Western countries, which were the first to start researching the noted problems. It was among Western feminists that a gradual transition began, first to a gender approach, and then to the study of men's problems, in order to find out the necessary measures for the establishment of genuine gender equality [The phenomenon of gender in culture, 1998]. It seemed that Azerbaijan would have to go the same way. Based on the analysis undertaken, it can be argued that the upcoming second stage for Azerbaijan will be associated with a deeper development of the gender approach and research on men's problems, in order to clarify the necessary procedures for the establishment of genuine gender equality in the country. At the same time, radical changes in the field of artificial intelligence and nanotechnology are shifting the direction of gender research towards changing traditional types of gender, transforming the psychophysical organization of a person and the philosophy of transhumanism. The echoes of the transformation of the relationship between the sexes under the influence of the latest feminist and gender concepts and socio-political changes began to be reflected even in the conservative journalism of many countries, for example, in Azerbaijan. Thus, a number of authors discuss the peculiarities of the character of Azerbaijani women, noting that "in most cases they are not prone to violence or aggression, preferring a quiet life to everything else, but when threatened they can become as violent as any man. For them, nothing is more important than family, and they consider it their duty to protect it, if necessary, at the cost of their lives. Our women somehow combine the most incompatible things, being wonderful people. They are patient and kind to those who deserve it. They are respectful to their elders, they are kind to children and those who need it" [Bagirova Maryam. Azerbaijani women] (Note 1). Some authors raise very sensitive topics that were previously almost not discussed in Azerbaijani society. Thus, N. Mousavi, in the article "Non-traditional values: why women in Azerbaijan are increasingly the first to file for divorce," notes that not only is the number of divorces growing in Azerbaijan, but more and more often they are initiated by women. Using the example of real stories of Azerbaijani families, the author notes that if earlier women were deterred from divorce by two main reasons: public opinion and financial lack of independence, today these obstacles have almost disappeared in cities that have provided women with material independence and anonymity, remaining in a somewhat truncated form in rural areas due to limited jobs and supervising public opinion. The author gives an explanation by sociologist Sanubar Heydarova: "Unlike the older generation, young people do not perceive marriage as something sacred and eternal. Old values and attitudes no longer have power over young people, they want to choose for themselves how to live, and they believe that if marriage does not bring happiness, then why do they need it at all"