The Government of Pakistan used the OIC Women Development Organization conference in Cairo to underline a renewed focus on women empowerment through integrated education, TVET and labour market reforms. The two-day meeting at the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Centre on 1–2 February 2026, held under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, brought member states together to discuss how religious and media discourse shape efforts to promote and protect women’s rights.
Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, led the official Pakistani delegation alongside Ms. Mehreen Gul from the Ministry of Human Rights. The delegation stressed that raising women’s participation in the labour force is both a social imperative and a strategic economic priority for Pakistan, especially as the country faces demographic and economic pressures that demand broader inclusion.
Pakistan highlighted a suite of ongoing initiatives designed to remove structural barriers to employment and support women empowerment, including targeted women entrepreneurship policies, labour law reforms, digital skills development programs, incentives for women-friendly workplaces and strengthened social protection mechanisms. These measures aim to translate skills and qualifications into sustainable livelihoods for women across urban and rural areas.
From an education and TVET perspective, the delegation emphasised the need for demand-driven skills aligned with emerging growth sectors, and for care-supportive infrastructure to improve women’s retention in training and formal employment. Pakistan also advocated integrating financial inclusion with certified skills, entrepreneurship support and digital literacy so women can move into productive, resilient work.
The delegation concluded that a coordinated approach—combining education, vocational training, care infrastructure, financial inclusion and strong legal protections—is essential to unlock the full potential of women in the economy. As a committed member of the WDO, Pakistan reaffirmed the Ministry of Human Rights’ central role in advancing national and international cooperation to promote and protect women’s rights across OIC member states.
