The Committee noted that certain provisions in Azerbaijan's recently adopted Law on Gender Equality are, in fact, discriminatory against women.   For example, there are different minimum ages for marriage for men and women.  It urged the State to consider repealing these discriminatory provisions and to continously monitor its progress in achieving equality for women.  These inequalities are also to be addressed in the educational system, with human rights training for students and teachers, revised textbooks and public awareness campaigns to support the change.

Azerbaijan was urged to speedily enact its draft law on domestic violence, and to educate the public, the medical  system and judicial system about the law and about all forms of domestic violence, and legal redress for same.  It was urged to prosecute and punish offenders of its Law to Fight against Trafficking in Persons, and to increase the participation of women in public and political life.  The Committe also recommended, among other measures, that Azerbaijan ensure that women living in rural ares have full access to education, property rights, justice and health services.  The legal age of marriage should be raised to 18 for both genders, and the State should be sure that all marriages are properly registered. Information in both of these areas should be specifically included in Azerbaijan's next report to the Committee, which is due in August 2008.

Compiled from: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw37/concludingcommentsAU/Azerbaijan_advance%20unedited