BAKU, July 16 — A recent wave of tragic incidents involving young children in Azerbaijan has prompted national mourning and deep public reflection. In the span of just a few months, multiple cases of child drownings, fatal falls, and accidental poisonings have shaken communities. Yet amid the grief, a troubling pattern has emerged: a disproportionate societal tendency to blame mothers alone.
Social media reactions, often harsh and emotionally charged, routinely ask, “Where was the mother?” or “Why was the child near an open window or swimming pool if she was at home?” Fathers, in contrast, are frequently exempt from scrutiny, with many users rationalizing their absence by citing long work hours and financial responsibilities.
A Broader Crisis of Accountability
Sociologists warn that these reactions reflect deep-rooted gender biases and a narrow understanding of social responsibility.
“The family is not the only party responsible,” said Irada Hasanli, a sociologist specializing in family dynamics. “Yes, there may be parental negligence—but these incidents are also a consequence of weak public safety systems and lack of awareness.”
Hasanli emphasized that preventive measures must be systemic and proactive—not simply reactive. In households with young or hyperactive children, families should be educating themselves about risk prevention, such as installing window guards or pool safety equipment.
But more importantly, local governments and community institutions must play an active role. According to Hasanli, municipalities should:
Enforce building safety codes (especially in high-rise apartments);
Conduct public awareness campaigns on child safety;
Monitor risky infrastructure like unprotected water sources and unfinished construction sites.
A String of Preventable Tragedies
The recent spate of fatal accidents has gripped the nation:
April 29: One-year-old Turgut Tapdigov died after ingesting medication while unsupervised in Mahmudlu village, Shamkir.
June 14: Two-year-old Ayshe Suleymanova fell to her death from the 8th floor of an apartment building in Baku’s Narimanov district.
July 4: Three children—aged 2, 5, and 7—drowned in a river in Gadimqala village, Shamkir. Two were brothers.
July 10: Four-year-old Aytaj Ismayilova drowned in a swimming pool in Vandam village, Gabala.
July 12: Two-year-old Safiya Ismayilova slipped away from adult supervision and drowned in a body of water near Meshlesh village, Zagatala.
The Gendered Lens of Blame
Experts argue that public discourse, particularly online, reflects a cultural tendency to place the full burden of child-rearing on women, regardless of circumstances.
While mothers do carry a primary caregiving role in many families, the lack of institutional support, community safeguards, and emergency response mechanisms contributes to these tragedies. Calls for harsher penalties against mothers risk oversimplifying what is in fact a multi-layered public safety failure.
“When a child dies, it’s a societal failure—not just a personal one,” Hasanli said.
Toward a Culture of Shared Responsibility
To move forward, experts urge a shift from blame to prevention—with shared responsibility between parents, local authorities, educators, and the broader public.
Community education programs, enhanced child safety regulations, and more inclusive narratives around fatherhood and caregiving are essential steps toward a safer and more compassionate society.
