Results of the essay competition
On April 18, 2010 the Women’s Forum announced the results of its Essay Competition “The Life and Thoughts of a Woman in Azerbaijan”. The competition was organized with the generous support of the British Embassy in Baku. First prize winner, Narmin Farajullayeva received 500AZN and an invitation to continue writing for the Women’s Forum. Second and third place were merged and shared by Narmin Veliyeva and Sabina Vaqifqizi, who received 300AZN each.
Two runners up – Aysel Omarova and Leyla Vahabova received gift certificates from the Ali&Nino bookstore chain.The three-member panel included Nigar Kocharli director of Ali&Nino, Nargiz Nasrullayeva-Muduroglu director of the American Chamber of Commerce and Khadija Ismaiylova bureau chief of Radio Azadliq. A preliminary review, conducted by Metanat Aliyeva from the Media Rights Center and Natalia Corobco from the Women’s Forum, helped to identify the best fourteen works. The panel then evaluated the essays in two phases, initially selecting the top six and later naming the winners of the competition.
An official award ceremony, held at the Hyatt Hotel, was attended by Azerbaijani and international guests and fans of the Women’s Forum, including British Embassy projects officer, Anar Nagiyev, political analyst and blogger, Arzu Geybullayeva, vice-president of the International Women’s Club, Sheila Parry, and the head of office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Francis Delaey.
A total of sixty-six essays in three different languages (Azerbaijan, Russian and English) were submitted. The participants were young women living in Baku or studying abroad, as well as authors from Shamakhi, Kurdemir and Ganja. The best fourteen works will be translated and published on the Women’s Forum over the course of six to eight weeks. Publication will begin with the winning essay on April 19, 2010.
The Women’s Forum is a web site that published articles, interviews and opinion about the situation of women in Azerbaijani society. The Forum creates a platform for self-expression, discovery of new talent and discussion of taboo topics. We write and talk about women’s rights and social roles, careers and achievement, family life and domestic violence. The web site is published in three languages – Azerbaijani, Russian and English.Authors of the best 14 essays (in alphabetical order, by name)
| Aska Omarova |
Leyla Vahabova
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Nermin Kamal
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Aydan Alekperova
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Medina Pashayeva
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Sabina Akbarova
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Dilara Khasayeva
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Naile Mehdi
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Sabina Jafarli
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| Gunel Ismikhanova |
Nargiz Mammedova
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Sevinj Sadigova
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Narmin Valiyeva
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Tunzala Nazarova
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