Focus on Azerbaijan

In this article, the author examines the role of masculine governmentality in sustaining President Aliyev's authoritarian traditionalism through a poststructuralist feminist lens. They explore the structural dynamics of gendered power in autocratic leadership, analysing how masculinity intersects with governance to reinforce Aliyev's regime.  

Trans men in Azerbaijan face severe challenges when trying to express their gender identity. In an environment where society, especially their families, finds it difficult to accept them, leading their daily lives becomes a significant problem. They struggle to survive independently while confronting both legal and social obstacles.

LGBTQ+ people and their families face severe social discrimination in Azerbaijan. Based on testimonies, in this article, the author explores the struggles of LGBTQ+ youth in Azerbaijan who are disowned by their families and the personal and societal challenges these families face. The article also speaks about the solidarity between LGBTQ+ individuals and their family members during harsh times and discusses family dynamics. 

While the impact of war and militarism is often studied in relation to women, this article looks at the relationship of toxic masculinity, militarism, homonationalism, and queerness in Azerbaijan in the context of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

The feminist movement and the LGBTQ+ community represent marginalized populations in Azerbaijan - they experience social, political, and economic discrimination and exclusion. Very recently, the visibility of these groups in Azerbaijan has increased.

Ramil writes about the urgency of intersectionality by studying the narratives of Azerbaijani LGBTQI+/queer individuals who have been facing multi-layered discrimination in Azerbaijan.

Ali Malikov shares stories of queer teachers in urban and rural Azerbaijan and clearly shows the challenges they face on a daily basis, both in their professional and personal lives.

The call is open for everyone - participants of all genders, professions, and professional levels, such as students, researchers, cultural professionals, fiction writers, poets, illustrators, photographers, etc. 

Vusala Hajiyeva, a transgender woman from Baku, Azerbaijan, tells about the isolation, which did not start during the covid-19 pandemic. She shares her personal story describing the multifaceted difficulties that transgender people face in her country, both on an individual and systemic level. Vusala tells stories of failure, hatred, love, and hope.

This article takes a story-based approach by talking to women engaged in informal economy and describes effectiveness and inclusivity of support mechanisms.