Epress.am News from Armenia
Over the past few months, two teams of journalists, writers and bloggers in both Armenia and Azerbaijan interviewed a handful of women of different ages and backgrounds, both in the capitals of Yerevan and Baku and in the regions as part of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Women’s Narratives Project. We asked them about their lives, their hopes and wishes for themselves, their families and their countries. Epress.am will feature the interviews — one a week, published every Monday. This is the fourth interview in this series.
To listen to the audio file of the interview below (in the original language, Azeri) as well as read the interview in full, visit the blog by clicking here. No photographs were taken of the interviewees to create a more comfortable interview environment and to respect their privacy.
The interview with Sadagat Hajieva, 31, took place at her workplace in Baku on Mar. 5, 2011. Hajieva is divorced and has a five-year-old son. She has two diplomas, but works at the local library. She spoke about her goals and wishes in life, as well as how the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has affected her life. This is her story:
Are you married?
No, I am divorced. Because of my [health] situation. I have neurosis and I also had a problem with my breast which had to be treated at the Oncology Clinic. That cost a lot of money and my ex-husband did not want to bear those costs, so he divorced me. I was married for five years. I have a son who is 5. I live with my parents and my brother now. We are five people in my family: my brother, father, mother, me, and my son.
Are you happy with your living conditions?
It’s hard for me. It was better to live with my family. I see that my parents are worried about me.
I have higher education. Actually, I have two diplomas. I completed music school and can play a harmonica. I also studied at the Azerbaijan State Economic University’s accounting department.
Now I work at a library. I had worked as a librarian before. But then I got married and left my work. Then I returned to the library as a cleaner.
My current job does not match my education. I would have wanted to have a different job.
So, what’s the problem? Why do you work as a library cleaner if you have two diplomas?
Because it’s quiet here.
Have you tried looking for a job where you could use your education?
No, I haven’t. I don’t really know much about my profession. When I was a high school student, we weren’t taught much. We had to pay for all our grades.
Have your dreams about life been fulfilled? What do you wish for?
No, they haven’t. I would love to have a family, to have material wellbeing. Even if my husband won’t let me work. I want him to be a father to my son. I want him to value me as a woman.
How do you feel the war affecting your life?
I wish that God does not bring war upon anyone. Young women are left without husbands, mothers lose their children and are left to cry. We have so many refugees. I would not want to live their life. Even if they had everything, they still feel pangs for their motherland. The government provides them with everything but still they miss their homes.
Would you befriend an Armenian?
I would. But then I have the refugees in front of my eyes… There are good people among Armenians too. They too don’t want war. They too have lost their children. Their mothers don’t want war. This is all politics.
As a woman, do you feel it is possible to feel satisfied with your life?
I am satisfied with my life. I have a child. May God protect all children. But of course, I would have loved to have a happier future. I would not want to have unfulfilled wishes in my heart.