First gender equality hackathon to be held in Azerbaijan with financial support from the European Union

The first “Gender Equality Hackathon” in Azerbaijan is being organized between 19-21 February 2021 within the framework of the “EU 4 Gender Equality: Together against gender stereotypes and gender-based violence” programme, funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by UN Women and UNFPA.

Developed by the Regional Development Public Union, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan, UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the hackathon aims to encourage and educate young people to solve problems related to gender inequalities through innovative uses of technology.

More than 30 teams from Baku and other regions of the country are expected to join the hackathon. Teams will have the opportunity to work with professional local and foreign mentors to be prepared for the competition.

Participants will be able to choose among topics such as fighting violence against women, preventing son preference and the undervaluing of girls, promoting responsible fatherhood, tackling gender stereotypes regarding career choices, and improving gender equality in household chores.

At the final event, which will be held online between 19-21 February 2021, the projects will be evaluated by a jury and the winners will be awarded. The winner of the first place will receive 5,000 manats, the winner of the second place will receive 3,000 manats, and the winner of the third place will receive 1,000 manat. The implementing partners will support the development of the winning ideas in the next phase of the project.

Anyone interested to participate in the hackathon will have a chance to join the event by registering at www.genderhack.az till 19 January.

Promoting equal economic independence for women and men, closing the gender pay gap, advancing gender balance in decision-making, ending gender based violence and promoting gender equality beyond the EU is one of the main policies of the European Union.

The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan also prohibits discrimination based on sex and states that the rights of husband and wife are equal. Azerbaijan has signed international conventions on gender equality and passed a Law on State Guarantees of Equal Rights for Women and Men in 2006 that set the legal foundation for gender equality.