On January 26, a round table on "Current problems and legislative proposals in the field of gender equality" was held within the framework of cooperation of the Institute of Law and Human Rights and "Tamiz Dunya" (Clean World) Aid to Women Public Union (PU). Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Law and Human Rights, Mahammad Guluzade delivered an opening speech at the event and noted that the Institute conducts regular educational events for the employees of various state organizations in the direction of human rights protection and freedoms. As a continuation of this work, one of the main goals of the Institute is to alleviate existing problems in the field of gender equality and implement measures to prevent early marriages. “Early marriages are prohibited by current international law. Clause 2 of Article 16 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, to which 189 states are party, considers marriage or betrothal(engagement) with a child as legally invalid. Despite this, in 2022, the number of married girls under the age of 18 in Azerbaijan was 270” - these statistical indicators were voiced by Mehriban Zeynalova, the Chairman of "Tamiz Dunya" Aid to Women PU.

At the event, current problems in the field of gender equality and elimination of gaps in legislation related to this field, complications caused by early marriages, human trafficking and cyber security, abuse of a person's helpless situation, consent of parents to early marriage in exchange for money or other financial resources, including forced labor or services and other relevant topics were touched upon. During the discussions, proposals were put forward to consider criminal liability for violation of the right to equality, to abolish the 3-month reconciliation period in divorce proceedings, to recognize domestic violence as a criminal act and recognize it as a serious crime, and to prepare a “Road map for families” for the implementation of the model families with equal partners.

In total, the round table was attended by 38 representatives, 27 government and non-governmental organizations, including representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Anti-Trafficking Directorate, the Center for Legal Examination and Legislative Initiatives, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Bar Association, the State Migration Service, the Center for Social Researches and the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organizations.