According to ICT Ministry’s Public Relation, in this meeting, Dr. Vaezi expressed hopefulness that the seminar and the international exhibition of Women’s Role in Sustainable Development will leave its effect on bilateral relations between countries and nations, including that: “These relations, through closeness of the women of the region, lead to transfer and exchange of experiences.”
He indicated that: “I am interested to know the condition and the situation of women in our neighboring countries, and that’s why I met with you in person.”
Stating that being a good wife and a good mother are among the important tasks of women in Islamic countries, he said: “Ladies are half of the capital of any country and no country aiming for development and success should ignore 50 percent of its human capital.”
In continuation of the meeting, Vaezi underscored the highly positive aspects of connection among the women of the region, and said: “God-willing this trip is not going to be your last, and through more visits, hearts will also become closer to each other.”
He emphasized on the necessity of eliminating narrow-minded outlooks for establishing the role of woman in the region, adding that: “The number of girls participating in university entrance exams in Iran are greater that the boys, and this thing is based on competition and one must agree that the girls are ahead of the boys from the aspect of effort and education.”
In this meeting, Delbar Nazari, the Afghan Minister for Women’s Affairs said that: “Iran is our brother country and our old friend and has always been by our side at harsh times.”
She continued: “In Afghanistan, women have the ability to advance and benefit from education, but these developments are not very visible in public offices and in society where men are dominant.”
The Afghan Minister for Women’s Affairs expressed that: “We expect to be recognized as human beings in our societies, and it is my personal wish that merit-based system of appointment and recruitment is implemented and true gender-equality established.”
Nazari stressed on strong and bilateral relations with the Iranian ICT Ministry, saying that: “Employment in Afghanistan is facing serious problems.”
Also, Sedaqat Qahreman-Ava, Deputy to the Head of the Governmental Committee of Women Issues of Azerbaijan Republic, underlined the topics of family, women and children, expressing that: “I believe Iranian women to be very advanced.”
She stressed on Islam’s unique position as the religion paying the outmost attention to women and valuing them highly, and said that: “When we say that ‘you shall find paradise under the feet of mothers’, it shows how important is the role and position of women in society.”
Qahreman-Ava continued by saying: “Women must want to advance and progress themselves, and have the courage and daring to be present in society.”
Stating that Iranian women are advanced and are enjoying success, she added: “It is your country that will benefit from the advancement of women.”
Deputy to the Head of the Governmental Committee of Women Issues of Azerbaijan Republic expressed her pleasure from visiting the ‘Pavilion’ Museum and the Entrepreneurship Exhibition, commending their positive impact, and saying: “If we safe-keep our history, we are also safeguarding our future.”
In this meeting, Dr. Fadila Grine, Head of the Family Issues Office of the Islamic Cooperation Org. (OIC), also stated that: “When I see the women from the attending delegations, it is as if I’m seeing my own daughters.”
She continued: “The achievements of Iranian women are highly commendable, and Iran has a lot of say in women’s affair.”
It is mentionable that this important meeting of high-ranking officials in women’s affair with Dr. Vaezi took place on the sidelines of the Second International Conference and Exhibition of the Women’s Role in Sustainable Development, held on Sep. 15-18.