The ninth session of the Islamic Conference on Women's Empowerment opened in Islamabad last week, bringing together ministers, policymakers and senior officials from across the Muslim world to discuss ways to advance women's socioeconomic and political participation in member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The conference, jointly organized by the OIC and Pakistan's Ministry of Human Rights, serves as a platform for member states to exchange policies and explore cooperation on issues affecting women across the Islamic world.

Female ministers responsible for women's and family affairs, along with high-level delegations from OIC member countries, participated in the gathering. The conference built on discussions held during the previous session in Cairo in 2021 and earlier meetings aimed at strengthening women's rights and opportunities through cooperation among member states.

Held under the theme, "The Socioeconomic and Political Empowerment of Women in OIC Countries: Challenges and the Way Forward," the conference focused on identifying practical approaches to expanding women's participation in education, the economy and public life while addressing barriers that remain across member countries.

Participants discussed measures to improve access to education and professional training, strengthen women's economic participation and entrepreneurship, and increase their role in shaping economic and environmental policies.

Organizers said the conference also aimed to encourage greater collaboration among OIC member states in developing policies that promote women's empowerment and sustainable development while reflecting national priorities and local contexts.

The meeting concluded with recommendations intended to guide future cooperation on women's empowerment initiatives across the OIC.