Islamabad Declaration urges expanded education, employment and political participation, including for Afghan women
ISLAMABAD: The ninth Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Ministerial Conference on Women concluded in Islamabad with the adoption of the Islamabad Declaration, urging member states to strengthen women’s participation in education, politics, the economy and public life.
Held under the theme “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward,” the conference brought together more than 190 delegates, including ministers, senior officials and representatives from the OIC’s 57 member states.
The declaration reaffirmed that empowering women and girls is essential for the development and prosperity of OIC societies. It encouraged member countries to invest in education, leadership, skills development, economic participation and social protection to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
Afghanistan receives special attention
The declaration also expressed concern over restrictions affecting women’s education and employment in Afghanistan, stating that such limitations are inconsistent with Islamic values. It called for removing barriers that prevent Afghan women and girls from participating fully in education, professional life and society.
Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who chaired the conference, described women’s empowerment as both a social responsibility and an economic necessity. Meanwhile, OIC Assistant Secretary-General Tarig Ali Bakheet stressed that meaningful progress would require sustained political commitment, adequate funding and practical implementation of agreed reforms.
Cooperation and implementation emphasised
The conference also marked Syria’s return to the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women after several years, with a delegation led by Social Affairs and Labour Minister Hind Kabawat participating in the discussions.
Although Afghanistan was invited, no official delegation from the Taliban-led administration attended. Afghan women living abroad, however, participated in their individual capacities.
Participants emphasised that the success of the Islamabad Declaration will depend on concrete action by member states to translate commitments into policies that expand educational opportunities, economic inclusion and leadership roles for women.
The conference concluded with renewed calls for greater cooperation among OIC countries to promote women’s empowerment, strengthen regional partnerships and support inclusive development across the Muslim world through practical and sustained reforms.
