• Introduction and Overview
• Government Agencies
• Non-Government Agencies
• Demographic Profile
• Social Protection
• Child, Youth and Family Policy Regimes
• Maternity Benefits
• Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
• Child Education
• Child Health
• Special Groups of Children
• Child Labor
• Child Trafficking
• Notes
• References

(Last updated September 2006)

Introduction and Overview

After a mere two years of independence beginning in 1918, Azerbaijan was invaded by the Bolshevik Red Army in 1920 and became part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1922. In 1991 it became independent again. The republic’s first years of renewed independence were troubled by political upheaval, economic decline, and a war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Until a cease-fire agreement effectively ended the war in May 1994, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh fought for secession of the enclave. In 1995 Azerbaijan held its first legislative elections since independence and passed its first post-Soviet constitution. [Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2005]

Azerbaijan is a presidential republic, governed under a constitution adopted by referendum in 1995. The new constitution replaced the 1978 constitution, which had been amended to reflect Azerbaijan’s new status after the republic gained independence in 1991. All citizens of Azerbaijan age 18 and older are eligible to vote.

Executive:

The head of state is the president, who is directly elected for a term of five years. With the approval of the legislature, the president appoints a prime minister and a cabinet of ministers, who carry out the day-to-day operations of government. Among other powers, the president calls legislative elections, nominates the prosecutor-general and higher-court justices, and may declare a state of emergency or martial law.

Legislature:

Legislative power is vested in the Milli Majlis, or National Assembly, a unicameral (single-chamber) body composed of 125 members who serve five-year terms. Under the country’s electoral law, 25 seats in the Milli Majlis are awarded to candidates according to the proportion of the vote their parties draw in elections. The remaining 100 seats are filled by the winners of district elections.

Judiciary:

The judicial system includes the Supreme Court, which is the country’s highest court; the Constitutional Court, which is charged with ensuring that the government complies with the constitution; and the Economic Court, which is the highest legal body in economic disputes. The members of these three courts are nominated by the president and approved by the Milli Majlis. [Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2005]

There are more than 30 registered political parties in Azerbaijan. Political parties with representation in the Milli Majlis include the New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), the Popular Front of Azerbaijan (PFA), and the Civic Solidarity Party (CSP). The NAP, which is the party of President Heydar Aliyev, holds the majority of seats.

For purposes of local government, Azerbaijan is divided into 71 administrative regions, consisting of 59 districts, 11 cities, and the autonomous republic of Naxçivan. The local government of Naxçivan adheres to the republic’s constitution and cooperates with the central government. The enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh has no official designation at this time. It was established as an autonomous region in 1923, but this status was officially abolished in 1991 due to the conflict in the region. In December 1991 Nagorno-Karabakh declared itself an independent republic, but neither Azerbaijan nor any other country, including Armenia, formally recognized its independence.

The collapse of the Soviet Union had a devastating impact on Azerbaijan’s trade-dependent economy. As traditional markets and trading links were severed, Azerbaijan’s economy fell into severe decline. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which imposed an economic burden of providing for approximately 1 million refugees, compounded the economic crisis. Skyrocketing inflation caused consumer prices to rise by 1,664 percent in 1994, while also making the country’s new currency, the manat, practically worthless. As a consequence, living standards deteriorated for the majority of the population.

The economy began to recover after the government of Azerbaijan introduced an economic stabilization program in 1995 with the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Also that year, the government launched a program to transfer state-owned enterprises to the public sector. Azerbaijan’s gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the value of goods and services produced, began to show growth in 1996. In 2005, the estimated GDP (purchasing power parity) was 37.03 billion and the per capita GDP was US$4,700. [CIA World Fact Book, 2006]

Azerbaijan is one of the world’s oldest oil exporters, and development of the country’s extensive petroleum reserves remains central to its economic future. Foreign investment is focused almost exclusively in the petroleum industry. Other sectors have received relatively little development since independence. [Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2005]

Azerbaijan's economy is polarized by two discrete sectors of influence. The urban sector, dominated by the oil industry, government, and a few big businesses, provides economic opportunities and comfortable incomes to a relatively small number of individuals. The rural sector, dominated by small and medium agri-businesses and non urban focused services and industries, provides limited economic opportunities and contains the major share of the country's work force. There is a wide disparity of wealth between these two sectors, with the urban sector clearly in command. Much of the population, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), pensioners, unemployed and underemployed, and the handicapped, are vulnerable and, at best, participate minimally in the labor force.

In 2002, industry contributed 45.7%,  to the GDP, services – 40.2%, and agriculture -14.1%. Industry, though the largest sector, employs only 7% of the labor force. Services and agriculture employ 52% and 41% respectively.

Unemployment in Azerbaijan is mainly concentrated in urban areas (14%) compared to rural (7%) areas. The nationally reported unemployment rate was 1.2% in 2005. However, official statistics considerably underestimate the true unemployment level. Results of recent labor market and household budget surveys suggest that, despite the impressive economic growth of the last 7 years, the actual unemployment rate in Azerbaijan remains well above 10%, while about half the population still lives in poverty. [Asian Development Bank, 2003]

Although equal rights for both men and women are guaranteed under the Constitution and national legislation, gender inequality persists in the country. Its status is measured by various factors, including the number of positions occupied by women in legislative organizations, among ministerial positions and in other senior-level government positions. Women are represented less than men in decision-making positions. Women comprise 12 percent of the National Parliament, 36 percent of high-level positions and 44 percent of professional positions. In 2003, women made up 45% of the total labor force, down from 48% in 1980. Female primary school enrollment also declined from 100% in 1990 to 79% in 2003 [World Bank, 2003]. The State Committee on Women’s Affairs and a number of non-governmental organizations are addressing the issue of gender inequality, and progress is being made. [HDR, 2002]

Almost 50 percent of the population of Azerbaijan is considered poor. Poverty is more entrenched among urban dwellers, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and people living in Nakhchivan. Despite significant economic growth since the mid-l990s, in 2003 68.3% of the population live below the National Poverty Rate (approximately US$ 27 per month ( and in contrast to the U.S. poverty line of $14,40 per day in 1997); 2% live on less than US$ 1 a day (World Bank estimate for poverty Line); and 9.6% live on less than US$ 2 a day (World Bank estimate for near poverty); with the highest incidence of poverty recorded in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, or NAR (62.9 percent).

Poverty is greater in urban areas than rural areas (55% vs 42%). Poverty in Baku is neither below nor above the national average (49%), but it is lower than in other urban areas. However, the largest group of poor, one quarter of the total poor population is situated in Baku. The higher incidence of poverty in urban areas is linked to the loss of non-agricultural employment and the importance of access to land and home produce in protecting rural inhabitants from poverty. The rural population is relatively better protected due to the value of produce consumed from its own household production. However, other participatory studies have shown that rural areas and small towns suffer from unreliable supplies of energy and gas, declining infrastructure, and less access to basic health and education services. Access to land is important in protecting the rural population from poverty, but in many cases cannot be used for more than subsistence farming. [World Bank, 2005]

Nearly eight percent of Azerbaijan's total population of eight million has been left homeless as a result of the war with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. Fighting between the two countries first erupted 15 years ago, yet hundreds of thousands of people still live in mud-brick shelters, railroad boxcars and abandoned buildings. Political instability and unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a peace treaty have exacerbated the plight of Azerbaijan's displaced citizens. Despite a cease-fire agreement signed in 1994, a formal peace treaty remains elusive.

Inhuman living conditions persist among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and in refugee communities. Poverty and unemployment is endemic, access to education is limited and sanitation is problematic. According to the Report of the Norwegian Refugee Council on Internal Displacement in Azerbaijan, unemployment among the displaced population is extremely high, with only 20 percent of the displaced population employed and earning regular wages. State programs provide financial assistance to IDPs, but their average income remains lower than that of other citizens. 63 percent of the displaced population, including refugees, live below the poverty line. [Mercy Corps, 2003]

Issues facing children in Azerbaijan

Almost half of the population of Azerbaijan lives in poverty, i.e. below less than a dollar a day, with the percentage of children in poverty even higher (52%). Infant and under-five mortality rates are among the highest in Europe. Poor nutrition is a major underlying cause of child mortality, with 10% of babies born underweight, 13% of children under five stunted, and 75% suffering from Vitamin A deficiency.

Around 10% of children do not live in a family environment, and are placed in  institutional care every year. Many still believe that children receive better care in an institution and this belief, combined with low household incomes and poor regulatory mechanisms, has resulted in increased child institutionalization.

As many as 15% of births go unregistered as a result of bureaucratic procedures and informal payments for registration. The emergence of “street children” is a relatively new phenomenon and stems from the sharp drop in the economic and social status of families. Available figures are flexible and seasonal. The latest information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs is that over 500 children were registered at police stations in 2003 for petty crimes and  80%  of these were not attending school. One recent study found that nearly two-thirds of women and children experience some type of domestic violence.

The long-standing conflict with Armenia remains unresolved and the upheavals of 1988-1993 continue to cause suffering. There are nearly 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees from Armenia and other countries, over half of them women and children. Refugee and displaced people have poverty levels that are 20% higher than the national average. Approximately 24 of Azerbaijan’s 65 regions are thought to be contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Of those killed by landmines or UXO to date, 13% have been children. [UNICEF, 2003]

There has been a marked increase of interest in recent years in the protection of children's rights in Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child with the Law №236 on July 21, 1992. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan signed two Optional Protocols of the Convention - "Involvement of children in armed conflicts" and "Sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography" of the Convention on  the Rights of the Child at the UN Millennium Summit held on September 6-8, 2000. In 1993 the Republic of Azerbaijan signed Universal Declaration on "Survival, protection and development of children" that was adopted at the high level meeting which was held for children's interests on September 30, 1990. In 2004 Milli Mejlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan ratified the Convention №182 on "Elimination of the worst forms of child labor".

The social and legal protection of children in Azerbaijan are regulated by a number of laws, such as the Constitution of Azerbaijan Republic, Labor Code (employment of the children), and Civil Code (protection of children's interests). Legislative acts on child rights adopted by Azerbaijan include: Law on Child Rights (1998), Law on Social protection of children deprived of parental care (1999), Law on Nutrition of infants and young children (2003).

The Law on the Rights of the Child adopted in 1998, aimed at strengthening political, social, economic and cultural protection of motherhood, fatherhood, family, childhood and gene pool of nation.

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Government Agencies

The Federal Ministry of Education is responsible for all educational policies, programs and reforms in the republic of Azerbaijan.  

The Federal Ministry of Health is the central agency for developing, coordinating and implementing all health related legislation and programs at the central government and state levels.

The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is responsible for developing and implementing social protection policies and for  enforcing child labor laws.

The Federal Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism is a central  government and state administrative body which carries out state policy on children, teenagers youth, physical culture, sport and tourism areas.

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Non-Government Agencies

The development of the NGO sector in Azerbaijan has been slower than in other post-Soviet independent countries in the region (e.g., Georgia). International agency initiatives and support have significantly contributed towards developing the sector in Azerbaijan and over the past years, there has been an intensive process of establishing NGOs in Azerbaijan. Their activities now cover most aspects of public life. Around 1,500 NGOs were established in 2003. However, the lack of a general database on all the NGOs operating in the country prevents a complete understanding of all their activities. Nonetheless, data collected in the NGO Resource and Training Center provide an overview on the NGO involvement in various fields of public life. In 2003, NGO distribution by kinds of activities was as follows: Education and Science – 11.7%; Economy – 8.7%; Culture – 8.5%; Morality and Health – 15.6%; Gender – 3.5%; Human Rights and Legislation – 14.7%; Humanitarian – 27.6%; Ecology – 7.4%; Media and Information – 2.3%. [HDR, 2003]

A survey conducted in 1999 by the Initiative for Social Action and Renewal in Eurasia to assess the needs of national NGOs found that 60% had no paid staff, 45% had no office space, and 52% had no computer. The study also found that they also faced the additional problem of acceptance from local state authorities, and few NGOs had access to basic training on organizational skills or professional performance. In addition, insufficient development of democratic institutions limits NGOs potential to contribute to decision-making.

Over the past few years, the State has been displaying interest in NGO activity in terms of training people for new professions. The process of growth in the number of NGOs, expansion of the fields of their activity, and dynamics of their contacts with government bodies indicate that the national government understands the necessity for cooperating with non-governmental organizations. In 2003, a National Forum of NGOs was been established.

The majority of the activities undertaken by NGOs in Azerbaijan are funded by foreign agencies. Major international donors include The Netherlands, Germany, Britain, Turkey, Norway, Sweden, the European Community Humanitarian Organization (ECHO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and a number of UN agencies. These donors channel their aid through bilateral arrangements directly to NGOs and to UN agencies such as WFP, UNHCR, and UNICEF. Some assistance is channeled through government agencies.

Despite the complexity of interrelations between the government and NGOs in Azerbaijan, the tendency for constructive cooperation is progressing. To develop and deepen such relationships, the government needs to establish enough space for NGO activity and involve them in the solution of socially important problems. The respective legal base has already been established in the country for the development of NGOs. The national Parliament has adopted a special Law that regulates the activity of NGOs. Also an NGO working group has been established to work on the State Program for NGOs development. This draft identifies some of the problems of non-government organizations, in terms of the complicated process of official registration. The State Program assumes the responsibility of establishing an NGO Institute, which will aim at strengthening the capabilities of public organizations.

The main international agencies involved in Azerbaijan include: the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Caritas (Denmark), the International Society of the Red Cross (ISRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

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Demographic Profile

Azerbaijan has a larger population  than the other South Caucasus states, Georgia and Armenia. Its population was an estimated 7,911,974 in 2005, giving it an average population density of 91 persons per sq km (237 per sq mi). The most densely populated area is the Abşeron Peninsula in the east, where Azerbaijan’s major cities are located. Despite its larger population, Azerbaijan is the least urbanized country of the South Caucasus, as only 50 percent of its population lives in urban areas. The largest city is Baku, the capital. Other important cities include Gäncä, the industrial center of western Azerbaijan, and Sumgayıt, located on the Caspian coast and the second most important industrial center after Baku. [Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2005]

Azerbaijan, including the autonomous exclave of Naxçivan, is populated mostly by ethnic Azerbaijanis, who are also known as Azeris. The ethnic composition of the country changed due to a civil war between the government of Azerbaijan and Armenian secessionists in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Beginning in 1988, when the people of Nagorno-Karabakh unilaterally decided to secede from Azerbaijan, nearly the entire Azerbaijani population in Armenia fled to Azerbaijan and northern Iran, while many ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan fled to Armenia. The number of Armenians in Azerbaijan decreased from slightly less than 6 percent of the total population to about 2 percent. Armenians now reside almost exclusively in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, where they constitute a majority. In the 1990s the proportion of Azerbaijanis in Azerbaijan increased from about 80 percent of the total population to about 90 percent. This change was largely due to the civil war, but the emigration of many Russians and other Slavs after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 also contributed.

Azerbaijan is in a demographic transition, with decreasing population growth due to a low fertility rate, an aging population and a flattening dependency ratio. While the population continues to grow (from 7.02 million in 1990 to 7.9 million in 2005), the rate of increase has been gradually declining. The average annual population growth rate declined from 3 percent in the years 1959-1970 to 1.3 percent in the years 1989-1999, reaching 0.59 percent in 2005. This decline is due to several factors, including the recent war with Armenia, net emigration, and a dramatic decline in the crude birth rate from 26.4/1,000 in 1990 to 20.4/1,000 in 2005. [World Bank, 2005]

Between 1990 and 2002, life expectancy at birth shortened by six years-the highest downtrend in the world, excluding the countries o f Sub-Saharan Africa, which lost up to three times as many years during the same period due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The most likely primary explanation for this decline is increasing infant, child and maternal mortality; and premature adult mortality [World Bank, 2005]. Life expectancy at birth declined from 66. 9 years in 2003 to 63.35 years in 2005.

The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) fell from 5.5/1000 live births in 1964 to 2.44/1000 live births in 2005, lower than other central Asian countries such as Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan but higher than other countries in the region like Turkey, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Georgia. Despite its low TFR, Azerbaijan has a relatively  young population. In 2005, 26.4 percent of the population was under age 14, while only 7.8 percent was over 65; the median age being 27.53 years. The dependency ratio has fallen from 0.61 in 1990 to 0.53 in 2003 mainly because while the percentage of young people aged 0-14 declined by 6.3 percent (between 1990 and 2003), the percentage of persons aged 15-64 and persons aged 65 and older increased only slightly (3 percent) during this period.

The urban population increased from 52% to 57% of the total population between 1975 and 2000. Of the three major causes of growth of the urban population - migration of rural population to towns, natural growth of the urban population and the transformation of large villages into urban settlements - the decisive one in the urbanization process was the migration of the rural population. [USAID, 2002] In 2000, 90% of urban and 70% of rural population had access to improved sanitation; and 93% of urban 58% of rural population had  access to an improved water source. [EarthTrends, 2003]

Dagestanis and Russians are the largest minority groups in Azerbaijan, followed by Armenians. Dagestanis, a people whose traditional homeland is Dagestan, a republic of Russia on Azerbaijan’s northern border, make up about 3 percent of the population. Russians constitute about 2.5 percent of the total (a reduction of about 3 percent since the 1989 census). Other ethnic groups include Lezgins, Kurds, and Talysh, who are geographically concentrated in the north, east, and south of the republic, respectively. There are also small communities of Georgians, Ukrainians, and Avars. Most of the republic’s ethnic groups have resided in the area for centuries, although Russians arrived in large numbers in the 19th and 20th centuries. [Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2005]

The official language of Azerbaijan is Azeri, a Turkic language of the Altaic family that is closely related to the Turkish and Turkmen languages. Other languages spoken in Azerbaijan include Russian and Armenian.

Azerbaijanis are traditionally Muslim. Islam was introduced in the area of present-day Azerbaijan during the 7th century ad, and Shia Islam was established as the official religion of the Azerbaijanis in the 16th century. During the Soviet period, religious leaders were persecuted, mosques were closed or destroyed, and religious practice was officially condemned. Islam has experienced a revival in Azerbaijan since the late 1980s, when political reforms allowed most of the Soviet restrictions on religion to be lifted. Nearly all Azerbaijanis now identify as Muslim, although few actively practice their religion. About 70 percent of Azerbaijani Muslims are Shias, and about 30 percent are Sunnis. Christianity is practiced to varying degrees among the Georgian, Armenian, and Slavic minorities. [Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2005]

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Social Protection

Benefits provided under social protection systems can usually be divided into two types, namely those based on principles of social insurance, which draw on contributions made through national social insurance systems; and those based on the principles of social assistance, which are paid directly from the state budget. In Azerbaijan, as in the other countries which inherited the Soviet system of social protection, the two types remain intertwined. A Presidential Decree on separating the systems of social insurance and social assistance from each other was signed on August 2003, and progress is being made in reforming them. However, at present these two systems continue to overlap. Social insurance covers all employed residents, including the self employed and members of collective farms. Social pensions cover elderly people, disabled people, and survivors who are not eligible for social insurance benefits.

The sources of funds for social insurance system are as follows: insured person - 2% of gross earnings; self-employed person - Between 10% and 20% of the national average monthly salary; 20% of gross monthly income for advocates and independent auditors and accountants; employer - 27% of payroll (nonagricultural); 23% of payroll (agricultural); and government - subsidies as needed; contributes as an employer for its own employees. There are no minimum and maximum earnings for contribution purposes and these contributions also finance cash sickness and maternity benefits, work injury benefits, unemployment benefits, and family allowances. The funds for the social pension system come entirely from the government.

Qualifying conditions for old-age conditions are – 62 years of age with 25 years of covered employment for   men and 57 years of age with 20 years of covered employment for women. Special supplements (old age) are given to rehabilitated victims of political repression who receive 50% of the minimum old-age pension; war veterans (including enrolled civilian personnel and partisan forces) and some other categories of military personnel, who receive 30% of the minimum old-age pension. Early pensions are provided to mothers who have reared at least three children or one congenitally disabled child until age 8. Social pensions are provided to nonworking citizens age 65 (men) or age 60 (women); age 55 for certain categories of mother not eligible for the old-age pension.

Old-age benefits cover 60% of average gross monthly earnings plus 2% for each year of employment over the minimum requirement. Average gross monthly earnings are calculated on the basis of earnings during the 60 months of employment before the application for a pension. The minimum pension is 100,000 AZM (US$20.2) a month, plus a bread allowance of 11,000 AZM (US$2.22) a month. Normally, the maximum pension is 216,750 AZM (US$43.8). Social pensions cover 80% of the national monthly minimum wage. The national monthly minimum wage is 100,000 AZM (US$20.2). [Social Security Administration, 2005]

The administrative organization for social protection programs is the State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) which provides general coordination and supervision. Regional and local departments of the State Social Protection Fund administer the program. State Social Protection Fund and its regional counterparts collect and manage payroll contributions and finance benefit payments.

Incomes and expenditures of the State Social Protection Fund (SSPF) budget increased by 9% from 2003 to 2004.   65.2% of the budget came from social insurance contributions and 34.8% from the State Budget. In 2004, 57.9% of total payments went to pensions and 42.1% to social assistance (4.1% to social pensions and 38% to benefits).

There are more than 35 types of benefits and compensations in Azerbaijan Republic and the system covers a broad section of the population. Only one benefit is “targeted”, namely the benefit for children under 16 years of age (and for full-time students not receiving scholarship – up to 18 years) provided to families with a per capita income level below 16500 AZM (US$3.33). The size of the monthly benefit is 9000 AZM (US$1.9). While the minimum wage and average per capita incomes have increased several times in recent times, neither the size of the benefit nor the basis for determining eligibility have changed. The government is working towards designing and implementing a targeting mechanism, which would allow a larger benefit to be paid to a more restricted number of recipients. However, in the meantime, the benefit represents the biggest item in the social assistance budget, and due to its small size, can only have a very limited effect in providing protection from poverty.

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Child, Youth and Family Policy Regimes

Maternity Benefits

Maternity benefits include cash benefits paid by social insurance and medical benefits from the universal medical care system. All employed persons receive cash benefits; voluntary coverage is available for self-employed persons. All permanent residents receive medical benefits which are paid for completely by the government.

Maternity benefits include 100% of gross average monthly earnings during the period before childbirth and 15,000 AZM (US$3) a month after childbirth. Women are given pregnancy and maternity leave for a period of 126 calendar days (140 calendar days in the case of difficult deliveries or the birth of two or more children).  Maternity benefits are extended for women employed in agricultural production.  The leave period for women in this category is from 140 to 180 calendar days, depending on the difficulty of the delivery.  While on maternity leave, women receive an allowance in the amount of 100 per cent of their average pay, regardless of length of service. Maternity benefits are adjusted according to changes in the cost of living.

Maternity leave for insured women in the nonagricultural sector include 70 days before and 56 days after (for multiple births or for a difficult delivery, 70 days after) the expected date of childbirth. For insured women in the agricultural sector, 70 days before and 70 days after (for a difficult delivery, 86 days after; for multiple births, 110 days after) the expected date of childbirth. [Social Security Administration, 2005]

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Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)

Early Childhood Care and Development in Azerbaijan is currently identified with the provision of Pre-School Services. There is a great emphasis and identification at all sector levels about its aim as "…preparation for school activities, for learning " and a unanimous concern because of the gradually decreasing number of kindergartens and/or nurseries in the country. The Pre-school system has existed since Soviet times, with two main models: the nurseries and kindergarten services.

Nurseries are for 0-3 year olds and Kindergartens for 3-6 year olds. In 2003, there were 1,785 pre-school educational institutions, a decline from 2185 in 1990. Preschool enrolment ratio increased from 19 to 20% between 2002 and 2003. In 2005, pre-school attendance was 19.9 % throughout the country, 27.6 % in urban areas and 8.6% in rural areas This is partly explained by the lack of pre-school institutions in rural areas, and the condition of existing ones is not always satisfactory. According to data from the State Statistical Committee (SSC) the number of children per 100 places was 70 in urban areas and 89 in rural areas in 2003. There is also a gender gap in enrollment, favoring boys over girls, particularly in urban areas.

The Ministry of Education and Local Governments support 91% of the pre-school services and other ministries and state companies support the remaining  9% of those services.

Some of the problems that pre-school education in Azerbaijan is facing include: insufficient number of pre-school institutions in almost 80% of settlements; low attendance rate primarily in rural areas; need for capital refurbishment for 65% of pre-schools; insufficient training materials; and insufficient food and medical facilities. Even in settlements where pre-school infrastructure is available, it is used to accommodate internally displaced persons (IDPs). Nearly 32% of IDPs live in pre-school institutions because of which they cannot be used for pre-school education.

To address these problems, Azerbaijan implemented the following activities for pre-school education: (i) a technical assistance project on ‘Early Childhood Development’ undertaken by the Government of Azerbaijan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2004; (ii) a credit project of the amount of US$18 million to be implemented in 2006-2010 and funded by ADB; (iii) a development program for 2006-2010 also to modernize pre-school education; (iv) modern training technology; (iv) continuing cooperation with international organizations, namely UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Food Program (WFP). [UNESCO, 2005]

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Child Education

The following levels of education exist in the Republic of Azerbaijan: preschool education, primary education, basic education, secondary education, first-level vocational education (school level), second-level vocational education (college level), first level higher education (bachelor’s degree), second level higher education (master’s degree), post-graduate and doctorate studies. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the state guarantees the right to free and compulsory secondary general education. Secondary general education consists of primary education (grades 1-4), basic education (grades 5-9), and secondary education (grades 10-11).

Public expenditure on education was 4.5% of the GDP in 2000, highest among all North and Central Asia countries, but has since declined to 3.3% in 2003 (a considerable decline from 7.5% in 1990); Azerbaijan's GDP growth was 11.2% in 2003. Expenditure on education as percentage of total public expenditure increased from 15.8% in 2000 to 19% in 2003. Percentage distribution of expenditure on education by level was as follows in 2002/03: pre-primary – 8%; primary education – 18% (an increase from 14.6% in 1996); secondary education – 57% (a decline fro 63.9% in 1996); tertiary education – 6% (a decline from 7.5% in 1996); other- 11% (a decline from 13.9% in 1996). [UNESCO, 2005]

Primary education (Ages 6-9, Grades 1-4): According to official data, gross enrollment ratio of children in primary schools increased from 98.8% in 2002 to 102.4% in 2003. The increase in primary school enrollment can be associated mainly with measures implemented for improving access to education, particularly with distribution of free textbooks to all public school students in grades 1-5 and to IDP and refugee students in all grades in the 2003/2004 school year. Gross enrollment of children in urban schools was higher than in rural ones: 113.4% and 93.2% respectively. This could be because some families from rural areas prefer their children to attend urban schools and fewer infrastructural facilities in rural areas. It is important to note, that the share of girls and boys at the level of primary education is almost equal both in urban and rural areas.

Basic education (Ages 10-14, Grades 5-9): The gross enrollment ratio for basic education did not change considerably and was equal to 88.9% in 2003 compared to 88.8% in 2002. Enrollment was higher in urban areas (94.3%) than in rural areas (83.6%) in 2003. There was also a difference in the enrollment rates among males (89.8%) and females (88%) in 2003. This could be because children are obliged to work to earn extra income for the household at this age. According to official data, more than 11% of children do not complete even basic education.

Secondary education: The gross enrollment ratio in secondary education was 70.5% in 2003. This figure is considerably lower than that for the basic education level, suggesting that after basic education a part of children leave school. Some of them continue their education at vocational schools and others just stop their education. However, the gross enrollment rate has increased considerably over the last year: from 63.4% in 2002 to 70.5% in 2003. As in basic education, there are gender and urban-rural differences in enrollment. The gender difference in secondary enrollment in rural areas is considerably higher (male- 70.8%, female – 64.5%). Lower enrollment for girls may again be associated with early marriages. [MDG, 2005]

Although general education schools are widely available throughout the country, a disturbing trend of widening differentials in the quality of education services has started to appear, due to the lack of access to learning materials, deteriorating physical conditions of schools, and low qualified teachers. [MDG, 2005]

Adult Literacy Rate increased from 97% in 1989 to 98.8% in 2003 and Youth Literacy Rate was 99.9% in 2003. [UNDP, 2003]

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Child Health

Infant mortality is high in Azerbaijan, it is the second highest in the region after Tajikistan. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) decreased slightly from 83/1000 live births in 2001 to 81/1000 live births in 2005. With respect to the under-five mortality rate, it is estimated at 92.2/1,000 live births in 2000, while some sources suggest an even higher figure o f 102/1,000. This rate is almost 20 times higher than the EU average of 5.3/1,000 live births in 2002.

The main causes of mortality and morbidity among infants and children are respiratory diseases and dehydration caused by diarrhea. In 2003, 44.7% of infant deaths were caused by respiratory diseases. Diarrhea, infectious and parasitic diseases and even measles also contribute to child illness and death. In addition, children also suffer from micronutrient deficiencies and poor nutrition, with resulting high levels of anemia. The prevalence o f iodine deficiency among young children is extremely high, as is vitamin A deficiency. Also, the prevalence o f low-birth-weight babies is one of the highest in the region. [World Bank, 2005]

Immunization plays a crucial role in the healthy development of children. A slight deterioration was observed in children’s immunization status in 2003. Another disease affecting children in Azerbaijan is thalassemia. Thalassemia is commonly associated with poverty is thalassemia, usually occurring as a result of marriages between relatives. The treatment of the disease is very costly and unaffordable for low-income families. The spread of the disease has been increasing in recent times.

Most data are available on child health, derived primarily from the 2000 UNICEF MICS surveys. The latest survey in 2000 reported that just over a quarter of children aged under five were underweight or severely underweight. Children in internally displaced families were particularly at risk of diarrhea, an important contributor to the burden of ill health in the country. About a quarter of the population are without access to safe water. Previously eliminated problems also re-emerged following independence e.g. iodine deficiency disorders re-occurred as the program of salt iodization broke down. One area of success is the eradication of polio. Having suffered the largest number of cases of polio in the European region in 1990, intensive efforts led to the achievement of polio-free status in 1996. [Holley, Akhundov and Nolte; 2004]

Maternal mortality also remains high. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 94/100,000 live births in 2000 is the third highest in the region and ten times higher than the EU average. The main cause of maternal deaths is acute post-partum hemorrhage and post abortion complications, both of which are exacerbated by the high prevalence of anemia in pregnant women. Chronic or recurrent anemia is linked to malnutrition and/or iron deficiency, often compounded by frequent pregnancy and repeated abortions, all factors that are highly prevalent in Azerbaijan.

Ensuring health care for the population is one of the key functions of the state set out in the 1995 constitution. The overall structure of the health system remains largely that of the Soviet era. There is some private provision but most services continue to be provided by the state. Health care provision is, largely, divided between the Ministry of Health and local authorities. The Ministry of Health owns the central institutions and district administrations and cities own local hospitals, district polyclinics and specialist dispensaries. In addition, other ministries run parallel health services, including the Ministries of Railways, Defense and Oil respectively. It is estimated that these serve around 5% of the population.

Similar to other former Soviet republics, systems of accountability are complicated by the division of financial and health policy matters. District health administrations are accountable to the Ministry of Health for health care delivery. On average, about 25% of public funding for health care is expended by the Ministry of Health while the remaining 75% is spent at district level.

The post-independence economic decline led to a significant fall in state income, with a substantial impact on health care funding. Public expenditure on health, as percentage of GDP, declined from 2.7% on 1990 to 0.8% in 2002. Private expenditure on health was 2.9% of the GDP in 2002.

The health care network inherited from Soviet times is extensive. It encompasses approximately 2350 stand-alone facilities ranging from small rural health posts/feldsher stations located in villages to large hospitals. In 2002, there were 735 hospitals in Azerbaijan, most of which are not large. Approximately 2% of the hospitals and health posts are in private ownership. Primary care provision in Azerbaijan adheres to the Soviet model in many respects. As in other former Soviet republics, the concept of integrated primary health care has not been developed. Health care services are provided in a range of settings. For those in employment this is a facility at the workplace while others, including mothers and children, seek care in geographically defined facilities with the choice determined largely by proximity. Factories and large companies often maintain their own feldsher unit or ambulatory clinic. At village level, basic care is provided through feldsher aid posts (FAPs), ambulatory clinics and rural hospitals. In rural districts and cities there are central district (town) or municipal hospitals and polyclinics.

The challenges facing primary care are extensive but not insurmountable. In remote areas, especially in the mountains, the main problem is the lack of service provision. On a more general level, primary care is characterized by low quality as there is no tradition of training in family medicine. Continuity of care is also poor as patients often are seen by different doctors during successive visits. Quality of care is compromised further by poor laboratory services, with facilities frequently lacking diagnostic kits and functioning equipment. Many facilities encounter shortages of drugs and supplies and their equipment is outdated. Primary, secondary and tertiary health care facilities are facing serious challenges and deteriorating due to lack of funds for maintenance. [Holley, Akhundov and Nolte; 2004]

Nongovernmental (NGOs) and multilateral organizations also play a role in the provision of health care and provide input into policy development. NGOs are particularly important in providing health care in areas with large numbers of internally displaced people and refugees. In addition some agencies, such as UNICEF and the International Medical Corps (IMC), have worked with the Ministry of Health to pilot new forms of health care provision.

HIV/AIDS

The first case of HIV-infection in Azerbaijan was detected in 1987. During the last 15 years, the HIV incidence rate has increased 35 times. In 2003, it was estimated that 1,400 people were living with HIV/AIDS. While the HIV prevalence rate is still less than 1 percent, data indicate that the risk o f HIV transmission is high due to lack of awareness o f HIV transmission modes, a high prevalence o f intravenous drug use, high rates o f HIV infection among IDUs, and a high rate o f infection among commercial sex workers.

The control of HIV-infection in Azerbaijan Republic began with the setting up of Azerbaijan National Center in Response to AIDS in 1990, the only establishment being organizing-methodical, coordinating, supervising and practical establishment of the Ministry of Health on prevention of HIV spread in the Republic.

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Special Groups of Children

Child Labor

The law provides for the protection of children from economic exploitation and from work that is dangerous to their health. The minimum age for employment depends on the type of work. In most instances, the law permits children to begin work at age 15; however, with the consent of their parents, 14-year-olds may work in family businesses or at after-school jobs during the day that pose no hazard to their health. Children under 16 may not work more than 24 hours per week; children between 16 and 18 may not work more than 36 hours per week. The law prohibits employing persons younger than 18 in jobs with difficult and hazardous work conditions. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security are responsible for enforcing child labor laws.

In 2004, the Government ratified the ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labor. The country also joined the European Charter Article on Protecting Child and Youth Rights. [US Department of State, 2004]

There are generally few complaints of abuses of child labor laws but there are reports that some parents force their children to beg.

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Child Trafficking

The law does not specifically prohibit trafficking in persons, although existing provisions of the law are used to prosecute trafficking cases. While trafficking is not a criminal offense, traffickers may be prosecuted under laws prohibiting rape, forced prostitution and labor, and forgery of travel documents. Most trafficking-related crimes carry maximum penalties between 3 and 6 years' imprisonment, except for rape and sexual violence, which both carry maximum 15-year prison sentences. There also are criminal penalties for enslaving, raping, and forcing children into prostitution. There are reports that men, women, and children are primarily trafficked from the country for sexual exploitation and forced labor. Corruption in some government agencies facilitates trafficking.

The country is primarily a country of origin and transit for trafficked women, men, and children for sexual exploitation and forced labor. Azerbaijani, Russian, and Central Asian women and girls are trafficked from or through the country to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, and Pakistan for work in the sex industry. In addition, Azerbaijani trafficking victims have also been identified in other countries, including Turkey and India. Girls are trafficked internally from rural areas to the capital for sexual exploitation and boys are trafficked internally for begging. Iranians, Iraqis, Afghans, and migrants from South Asia are smuggled through the country to Europe-- particularly Germany, Sweden, France, and the Netherlands--and possibly the United States where they at times have their passports confiscated and are subjected to forced labor.

Traffickers generally target women and girls directly and indirectly through friends and relatives. Traffickers also use deceptive newspaper advertisements that offered false work abroad, and fraudulent marriage proposals from men posing as Iranian businessmen to lure women into prostitution in neighboring Iran.

Several NGOs, like the Institute for Peace and Democracy and Clean World, and bodies such as the State Committee for Women's Issues, work on anti-trafficking activities and programs to prevent prostitution. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) provided training for domestic NGOs on how to operate emergency hotlines, conduct awareness campaigns, and secure housing for trafficking victims. [US Department of State, 2004]

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Notes

* Research and Reported by Manita C. Rao
 

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