Gender inequality remains one of the biggest human rights issues worldwide, Sevil Gasimova, Project Manager of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Azerbaijan, stated at the "Ring the Bell for gender equality" event held in Baku on the occasion of the upcoming March 8 - International Women's Day, Report informs.

"It is impossible to make gender equality a reality without increasing women's economic empowerment. However, this requires special measures. Equal pay for work of equal value, non-discrimination, and other special measures are required. This is very important. The national priorities for socio-economic development until 2030, approved by the President's decree, also include improving women's access to economic opportunities.

The private sector should undoubtedly play an important role in this regard. In 2010, the UN introduced the Women's Empowerment Principles. These principles provide a comprehensive framework for promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Currently, we have 38 local companies that have joined these principles. We aim to attract 20 more companies," she noted.