OIC concludes landmark women’s conference in Islamabad with the Islamabad Declaration, urging member states to advance gender equality amid ongoing challenges, including severe restrictions faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) wrapped up its ninth Ministerial Conference on Women in Pakistan’s capital today, adopting the ambitious Islamabad Declaration that positions women’s full participation as indispensable for sustainable development in its 57 member states.

Hosted by Pakistan’s Ministry of Human Rights in partnership with the OIC, the two-day gathering brought together around 190 delegates, including ministers for women’s and family affairs, senior officials, and observers. The event built on prior commitments, such as the 2021 Cairo session, focusing on coordinated policies to overcome barriers in education, employment, politics, and social spheres.

Strategic Priority for the OIC

In a message delivered on behalf of OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha, Assistant Secretary-General Tareg Ali Bakhit emphasized that empowering women is a core strategic priority. “Our responsibility does not end with adopting today’s resolution,” Bakhit stated. “Its effective implementation requires continued cooperation, sufficient resources, and strong, sustained political commitment.”

Pakistan’s Minister for Law and Human Rights, Azam Nazeer Tarar, echoed this urgency, declaring that no country can achieve lasting development by sidelining half its population. “We recognize that millions of women and girls continue to face barriers that limit their opportunities and prevent them from fully contributing to the development of their countries,” Tarar said. “Our responsibility is not merely to acknowledge these realities but to change them.”

The conference theme – “The Social, Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in OIC Member States: Challenges and the Way Forward” – facilitated discussions on best practices, policy coordination, and measurable progress. Delegates elected new members to the OIC Women’s Advisory Council and endorsed initiatives for digital inclusion and entrepreneurship.

The Islamabad Declaration: A Roadmap for Action

The culminating Islamabad Declaration describes women’s participation as a cornerstone of sustainable development. It calls for expanded access to quality education, healthcare, employment, entrepreneurship, financial services, technology, and digital opportunities. It also stresses protection from violence and greater leadership roles.

Pakistan assumed the two-year chairmanship of the OIC Women’s Ministerial Conference from Egypt, signalling its commitment to driving implementation. High-profile attendees included Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other senior figures, who highlighted Islamic values supporting women’s dignity and societal roles.

Spotlight on Persistent Challenges, Including Afghanistan

While the conference celebrated progress, it implicitly and explicitly grappled with stark realities. Tarar’s remarks, though not naming specific countries, occurred against the backdrop of severe restrictions on Afghan women and girls under Taliban rule since 2021. These include bans on secondary and higher education for girls, limits on employment in many sectors, and exclusion from senior public positions.

Afghan religious scholar Waliullah Labib offered a counterpoint rooted in faith: “God created women with dignity and honour. That is why they have responsibilities and roles to fulfil in society.”

Pakistan has indicated that the final OIC resolution and declaration would address Taliban restrictions, urging collective action from the Muslim world. The event displayed Afghanistan’s flag among member states, though no Taliban representatives attended, underscoring ongoing diplomatic tensions.

Broader OIC member states face varied hurdles, from economic disparities to cultural barriers, but the declaration aims to foster cooperation, resource sharing, and monitoring mechanisms for tangible outcomes.

Broader Context and Expert Views

Women constitute nearly half the population in OIC countries, making their empowerment critical for economic growth and stability. Advocates note that excluding women costs economies billions annually, as seen in Afghanistan’s estimated $84 million yearly loss from girls’ education bans.

The conference aligns with global efforts, including UN calls for Taliban engagement on women’s full societal participation. Some Afghan women and scholars continue advocating for rights through faith-based arguments and community initiatives, even as formal channels remain restricted.

Pakistan’s hosting role and chairmanship position it as a potential bridge for dialogue, though domestic and regional critics have pointed to implementation gaps and political contexts. Nonetheless, the Islamabad Declaration provides a unified framework for member states to translate rhetoric into policy.

Looking Ahead: Implementation and Impact

As the conference concluded, participants stressed moving beyond declarations to action – through funding, technical cooperation, and accountability. The OIC Women’s Advisory Council will play a key role in follow-up.

This gathering reinforces that women’s empowerment is not just a rights issue but a development imperative aligned with Islamic principles and modern needs. With Pakistan at the helm for the next two years, expectations are high for measurable advances across education, economy, politics, and digital spheres.