Dear women!
Dear mothers and sisters!
I would like to heartily congratulate all the women of Azerbaijan on the International Women's Day – 8 March.
Throughout history, our women have been an unshakable moral pillar of society and shown great dedication in the formation of the present-day image of our country. Thanks to the right to elect and be elected acquired earlier than in many leading countries of the world, they became active participants in public life. Our women, using their inexhaustible energy and intellect for the sake of the motherland and people, have achieved numerous successes over time. The harmonious unity of national identity and modernity is an integral feature of their rich spirituality. I am proud to say that the women of our country were the first in the East to take important steps in the various fields of culture and arts, science and technology.
Closely united around the idea of independence of our nation and being active participants in the process of nation-building, public and political developments, Azerbaijani women are making an invaluable contribution to the improvement of the socioeconomic, scientific and intellectual potential of our republic. With their extensive activities, especially in the areas of education and healthcare, they have successfully put into practice the ideas of our intelligentsia. The ever-growing authority of women and their high status in our society are noteworthy features of modern life in Azerbaijan. At present, when the system of values in the globalizing world is undergoing rapid change, it is our mothers that are true guarantors of the conservation of national cultural values and our moral and spiritual wealth.
Paying particular attention to raising the young generation in the spirit of commitment to our ancient customs and traditions, national ideology and the ideals of nationhood, they, as always, are coping with this task with honor.
I am sure that Azerbaijani women will continue to exert all their strength in the name of a dynamic development and progress of our country.
I wish you good health, happiness and continued success in your activities.
Congratulations!
Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku city, 5 March 2012
