Social network users dispute over action in Baku against domestic violence

On March 6, in Baku, the staff of the ADO Theatre held a performance against violations of women's rights in Azerbaijan. Opinions of Facebook users diverged on the action.

Girls lined up with T-shirts in their hands, on which the slogans were inscribed: "You are a woman and must endure", "He beats you – he loves you" and "Be patient." There were basins in front of them, in which some of them depicted washing clothes, the "haqqin.az" reports.

The theatre actresses featured women experiencing domestic violence and suffering from patriarchal attitudes, the "Meydan TV" reported on the Facebook. The performances were supported by the "Gender Hub Azerbaijan".

Most of the commentators were negative about the performance.

"When a woman cooks, cleans the house and looks after children, does she become a slave? I don't understand this," the user Anar Zahidoğlu wrote.

Some users urged not to replace the concept of freedom with immorality.

"The goal of this ideology is not to protect women's rights, but to encourage ignorant women to commit immoral acts," the user Aqil Yusifov has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Azerbaijani activists had earlier tried to draw authorities' attention to the problem of domestic violence. On March 8, 2020, the marchers in Baku pointed out this problem to the authorities. One of them was later persecuted and tried to commit suicide.