An Empirical Study on the Identification of Women's Poverty in the Case of Azerbaijan

Author : Funda Rana Adacay

Abstract :A significant problem in Azerbaijan is the lack of gender data, which is crucial for examining sustainable development goals. According to UN data, 49.1% of the data necessary to monitor gender inequality in the country is missing. Access to gender data is crucial for identifying the inequalities faced by women and can encourage decision-makers to develop accurate and effective policies. Against this backdrop, the present study explores the extent and origins of female poverty in the context of gender inequality in Azerbaijan. It aims to highlight the extent of poverty among women worldwide and the associated risks. Even in developed societies where equal pay for equal work is a legal right, men are perceived as earning higher wages than women for doing the same work. Such practices or policies lead to women earning lower incomes than men in the economic sphere and an increase in female poverty. These practices and policies result in women earning lower incomes than men in the economic sphere, thereby increasing female poverty. The conceptual framework of the study is structured as follows: the concept and types of poverty; the causes of poverty; how poverty is measured; and methods of combatting it. Gender inequality and women's poverty are analysed theoretically. Qualitative analysis was employed for the empirical part of the study. Descriptive and correlational methods were employed to collect data on the status of women in Azerbaijan and, consequently, female poverty, from a sample of 300 women. Additionally, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with five experts who had worked in this field. The necessary data for the study were obtained by administering a 40-question survey to women selected through simple random sampling. The experts were asked for their opinions on the scale used. The study revealed that due to differences in Azerbaijan's socio-cultural structure, a poverty scale specific to the country is necessary, one that takes into account the perception of poverty and life satisfaction. It was also revealed that this scale must be used to measure female poverty. Interviews with participants revealed that the main problems were 'low wages, early marriage and gender inequality, lack of education, lack of employment opportunities and financial resources'. The most important solutions proposed were 'increasing employment opportunities with state aid' and 'eliminating gender inequality'.

Keywords :Women’s poverty, Gender, Azerbaijani Women.

Conference Name :International Conference on Women, Education and Gender Equality (ICWEGE-25)

Conference Place Stockholm, Sweden

Conference Date 8th Sep 2025