OSCE Office helps to prevent domestic violence in Azerbaijan’s regions

MASALLY, Azerbaijan, 5 August 2011 – The OSCE Office in Baku, in co-operation with the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, organized a discussion today on the role of local communities in preventing domestic violence in Masally, in the southern district of Azerbaijan. Participants from surrounding districts also participated in the event.  

The event raised awareness about the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence adopted last year, and fostered communication and collaboration among the people who work with the problem of domestic violence at a local level. Representatives from local government, the police, social services, the legal community and civil society exchanged views about the roles each of them play in implementing the law and preventing domestic violence.

“The goal of the OSCE Office in Baku is to support the Government in effective implementation of the new Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, in all regions of the country,” said Melissa Stone, the Acting Head of the OSCE Office.

“Adoption of this law is very positive, and we congratulate the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs. However we all agree that the real value of any law is in its implementation and ultimately its ability to improve the quality of life of citizens,” she added.

In addition to today’s roundtable discussion, the Office in Baku and the State Committee are planning two more regional events for 2011 in Goygol and Sabirabad.