Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani urges OIC nations to translate commitments into action as Pakistan assumes chair of women's conference

Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Monday, urged the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to move beyond declarations and translate their commitments into concrete action for women's socio-economic empowerment, as Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2026) Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Monday, urged the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to move beyond declarations and translate their commitments into concrete action for women's socio-economic empowerment, as Pakistan assumed the chairmanship of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women.

Addressing the opening session of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, as the chief guest, Gilani said empowering women is both an Islamic obligation and a prerequisite for sustainable development.

He said Islam has guaranteed women the rights to education, property, inheritance, economic participation, and dignity more than 1,400 years ago, while the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) continued to provide a timeless framework for ensuring women's meaningful participation in society.

Welcoming ministers, parliamentarians, and delegates from OIC member states, Gilani said women constituted nearly half of the population of OIC countries, and no nation could achieve inclusive growth while excluding half of its human capital from economic and political participation.

He paid tribute to the contributions of Muslim women in education, governance, science, diplomacy, business, and public service, and described Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Muslim world whose vision continued to inspire generations.

Highlighting Pakistan's efforts, he referred to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Waseela-e-Taleem, initiatives for women-led enterprises, financial inclusion, digital skills, and e-commerce.

He also recalled landmark legislation enacted during his tenure as prime minister, including laws against workplace harassment, acid crimes, and anti-women practices, and called on OIC member states to adopt measurable targets for girls' education, women's leadership, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and protection against gender-based violence.

Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Human Rights, Azam Nazeer Tarar, after assuming the chairmanship of the conference, said Pakistan accepted the responsibility with humility and a firm commitment to serve all 57 OIC member states through partnership, inclusivity, and consensus.

Referring to the conference theme, "Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward," he said empowering women is not only a social imperative but also an economic necessity, a governance priority, and a cornerstone of sustainable development.

He said Pakistan would work closely with the OIC General Secretariat, the Women's Development Organization (WDO), and member states to promote cooperation, exchange experiences, and transform shared aspirations into practical initiatives.

Tarar said Pakistan's Constitution guaranteed equality and dignity for women, while the government is taking strong measures to strengthen women's leadership, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, access to justice, and safer workplaces through legal and institutional reforms.

He also called for greater support for women affected by conflict, particularly in Palestine, Afghanistan, and Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed that artificial intelligence and digital innovation should become tools of inclusion rather than exclusion.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs at the OIC, Ambassador Dr. Tarig Ali Bakheet, said the conference reflected the organization's continued commitment to advancing women's causes and sustaining efforts towards women's empowerment.

He termed empowering women essential for the development, resilience, and prosperity of the Islamic world and expressed the OIC's appreciation to Pakistan and Egypt for successfully hosting the ministerial conferences on women.

Executive Director of the Women's Development Organization (WDO), Sarah Al Shoura, highlighted the organization's efforts to strengthen cooperation among member states and promote policies aimed at expanding women's participation in education, economic development, and leadership.

President of the Women's Consultative Council of the 8th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, Ambassador Naela Gabr, highlighted the progress made since the previous ministerial conference and stressed the importance of sustaining momentum through stronger cooperation among OIC member states.

She called for greater investment in women's education, economic empowerment, and leadership, saying the advancement of women was essential for inclusive development and long-term prosperity across the Islamic world.

President of Egypt's National Council for Women, Amal Ammar, said the prosperity of nations begins with investment in people, particularly women, adding that women's empowerment had become a strategic necessity for achieving sustainable development and stability. She said Egypt had made women's empowerment a national priority through constitutional, legislative, and institutional reforms and the National Strategy for Egyptian Women 2030.

She highlighted Egypt's flagship "Noura" programme for girls, the "Noor" programme for boys, the "Tahweesha" initiative for women's financial inclusion, and the Gender Equality Seal awarded to 31 companies promoting gender-responsive workplaces.

She said women had made notable gains in leadership, with nearly 3,968 women serving as judges and prosecutors, and increased representation in parliament and senior public offices.

Amal Ammar stressed that women's empowerment was rooted in Islamic values and called on OIC member states to deepen cooperation, exchange successful experiences, and ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, finance, technology, and leadership.

She also highlighted the plight of Palestinian women, encouraged member states yet to join the Women's Development Organization to complete the accession process, and congratulated Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship of the conference.

Among those present at the opening session were Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Members of the National Assembly, Saba Sadiq and Wajiha Qamar, representatives of international organizations, diplomats, and delegates from OIC member states.

A documentary highlighting the contributions of women in various sectors was also screened during the opening session.