Islamabad is hosting the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on July 12-13. Delegations from OIC member states have started arriving in the federal capital for the two-day event.
The conference carries the theme, “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward”. The Ministry of Human Rights is organizing the event at the Jinnah Convention Centre.
The meeting will bring together ministers responsible for women and family affairs. It will also include senior government officials, OIC representatives, international organizations, and development partners.
Pakistan Leads Regional Dialogue on Women’s Empowerment
Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar will chair the conference on behalf of Pakistan. As the host country, Pakistan will lead discussions and coordinate efforts among OIC member states.
The conference aims to encourage dialogue, share experiences, and develop strategies to improve women’s social, economic, and political participation. Furthermore, participants will review progress and discuss practical solutions for challenges faced by women across OIC countries.
The event highlights cooperation among Muslim countries to strengthen women’s rights, dignity, and opportunities. It also reflects efforts to create stronger partnerships for gender equality and development.
Delegations From 57 OIC Countries Participate
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar welcomed the visiting delegates and wished them productive discussions. He shared that representatives from all 57 OIC member states would participate in the conference.
Several international delegations received a welcome at Islamabad International Airport. Government officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Human Rights and Foreign Affairs, attended the reception.
Participants include senior officials from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Nigeria, Somalia, and Mauritania. These representatives will take part in discussions focused on improving women’s empowerment and social development.
Pakistan Faces Challenges in Gender Equality
The conference comes as Pakistan continues to face challenges regarding gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, Pakistan ranked lowest among 148 countries, with a gender parity score of 56.7 percent.
The country’s score showed a decline from its highest recorded level of 57.7 percent in 2023. The report highlights ongoing gaps in areas such as economic participation, education, health, and political representation.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also reported wage differences between men and women in Pakistan. According to the organization, women in wage employment earn around 30 percent less in monthly salaries compared to male workers.
Conference Aims to Support Future Progress
The OIC women’s conference provides a platform for member states to discuss shared challenges and explore new opportunities. Through cooperation and knowledge exchange, participants aim to develop stronger policies for women’s advancement.
As discussions continue in Islamabad, the conference focuses on creating practical steps toward greater socio-economic and political inclusion of women across OIC countries.
