Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Women Economic Empowerment during the OIC Women Development Organization conference held at the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Centre in Cairo on 1–2 February 2026, under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
The official Pakistani delegation, led by Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, together with Ms. Mehreen Gul from the Ministry of Human Rights, stressed that increasing women’s participation in the labour force is both a social priority and a key driver of sustainable economic growth for Pakistan and other OIC members facing demographic and economic pressures.
Delegates outlined Pakistan’s current measures to promote Women Economic Empowerment, including women entrepreneurship policies, labour law reforms, targeted digital skills development programs, the promotion of women-friendly workplaces and social protection mechanisms designed to remove structural barriers to employment.
From an education and TVET perspective, Pakistan highlighted the need for demand-driven skills aligned with emerging growth sectors while expanding care-supportive infrastructure to improve women’s retention in training and formal employment. The delegation emphasised integrating financial inclusion with certified skills, entrepreneurship support and digital literacy to enable women’s transition into productive and sustainable livelihoods.
Speakers concluded that a coordinated approach combining education, skills development, care infrastructure, financial inclusion and robust legal protections is essential to unlock women’s economic potential. Pakistan underlined that integrated policies on education and TVET are central to accelerating Women Economic Empowerment and delivering inclusive, sustainable growth across OIC member states.
As a member of the Women Development Organization, Pakistan reaffirmed its strong commitment to the WDO’s mandate. The Ministry of Human Rights, as the lead ministry for WDO in Pakistan, will continue to advance national and international cooperation to promote and protect women’s rights throughout the OIC network.
