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| Azra Azari |
"In the national movement, women are expected to provide only moral support; women are never imagined as political leaders or as a leading force," says Azra Azari, pointing out that the role assigned to women in the Azerbaijani movement is based on societal stereotypes.
According to Azra Azari, in various societies, a woman's role in society has historically been determined based on gender stereotypes. "In our society, this role is entrenched, and it does not go beyond the predefined role assigned to women," she says.
The South Azerbaijani activist also links the issue of self-censorship among women to these gender stereotypes.
"In our society, the role assigned to women is related to motherhood. More sacrifices are expected from women. They are not given a primary or leading position in the workplace or in economic matters," she explains.
The Azerbaijani women's rights activist, who lives in Sweden, also shared her thoughts with Voice of America about women's movements in Iranian Azerbaijan and the political space in Iran:
"Iran's women’s movement is a very well-known current. However, when serious political events take place in Iran, these events lead to significant changes within the Iranian women’s movement, and the movement strays from its essence," Azra Azari believes.
According to her, the South Azerbaijan National Movement’s approach to women activists is based on the gender stereotypes formed in society.
"In the national movement, women are encouraged to play a maternal role. They are only expected to make sacrifices and provide moral support. The idea of a woman having a voice or taking on a political leadership role is not envisioned; she is not seen as a leading force," Azra Azari emphasizes.
Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Əzra Azəri: Milli hərəkatın qadına baxışı stereotiplərə əsaslanır