ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday officially assumed the chairmanship of the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Islamabad.
Taking over the chairmanship, Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar described the role as both an honour and a responsibility, pledging to translate shared commitments into practical measures that improve the lives of women across the Islamic world.
He said Pakistan would work to promote the exchange of best practices, strengthen cooperation among OIC member states, and advance the collective agenda for women’s empowerment.
The minister noted that women constituted nearly 940 million people, representing about 49.3 percent of the OIC’s total population, and urged member states to transform dialogue into concrete action that would create lasting opportunities for women across the Muslim world.
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Women’s empowerment remains a national priority for Pakistan
He reaffirmed that women’s empowerment remains a national priority for Pakistan, rooted in the country’s Constitution, guided by its values, and essential for sustainable development.
Also Read: OIC Ministerial Conference Begins in Pakistan, Focuses on Women Empowerment
He highlighted the government’s continued efforts to strengthen legal, policy, and institutional frameworks aimed at expanding women’s rights, opportunities, and leadership.
Tarar noted that Pakistan is promoting women’s participation in leadership, enhancing financial inclusion and entrepreneurship, narrowing the digital divide, improving access to justice, and fostering safer and more inclusive workplaces.
He emphasised that the shared objective of OIC member states is to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind due to conflict, poverty, or inequality.
Addressing the conference, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs Tarig Ali Bakheet stressed the importance of collective and concrete action to bring meaningful improvements to the lives of women and girls across OIC member states.
The Islamabad conference builds on the outcomes of the previous OIC ministerial meeting held in Cairo in 2021 and aims to provide renewed momentum for cooperation among member countries in expanding opportunities for women and strengthening their role in social, economic, and political development.
