The ninth Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) opened in Islamabad on Sunday with technical-level meetings, setting the stage for ministerial deliberations on women’s empowerment across the Muslim world.
The two-day conference has brought together around 190 delegates, including ministers, senior government officials and representatives from the OIC’s 57 member states, to discuss ways to enhance women’s social, economic and political participation and strengthen cooperation among member countries.
Held under the theme, “The Social, Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in OIC Countries: Challenges and the Way Forward,” the conference will focus on expanding women’s access to education, healthcare, employment, entrepreneurship, financial services, technology and digital opportunities, while addressing barriers to their full participation in public life.
Technical experts and senior officials are holding preparatory sessions on the opening day to finalize recommendations for consideration by ministers, who will meet on Monday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to inaugurate the ministerial session, while Pakistan will formally assume the chairmanship of the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women from Egypt for the next two years.
Several senior Pakistani leaders are expected to address the conference, including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Members of the National Assembly Wajeeha Qamar and Saba Sadiq.
They are expected to highlight Pakistan’s initiatives aimed at promoting women’s empowerment, education, economic inclusion and leadership.
The conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration, outlining a common framework for advancing women’s empowerment and promoting inclusive and sustainable development across OIC member states.
The Islamabad meeting builds on the outcomes of the previous ministerial conference held in Cairo in 2021 and is expected to provide fresh momentum for greater collaboration among OIC countries to expand opportunities for women and strengthen their role in social, economic and political development.