Islamabad: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, speaking as the Chief Guest at the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, called for the Muslim world to take collective action to enhance women’s economic empowerment. He emphasized that moving from declarations to concrete actions is necessary for sustainable development and fulfilling Islamic obligations.

According to Senate of Pakistan, Gilani highlighted Islam’s longstanding principles of justice, dignity, and equal opportunity for women, noting that these were established over fourteen centuries ago. He underscored the role of the Holy Quran and the life of the Prophet Muhammad as frameworks for women’s dignity and societal participation. Gilani paid homage to the contributions of Muslim women across various sectors and honored the legacy of the late Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan’s first female Prime Minister.

At the conference, Gilani stressed the importance of women’s economic and political participation for inclusive growth. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to empower women through education, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion, citing initiatives like the Benazir Income Support Programme and Waseela-e-Taleem as transformative measures for economic security and education.

Gilani also discussed Pakistan’s efforts to ensure women’s safety through legal frameworks against harassment and violence and the development of support mechanisms. He highlighted significant reforms from his tenure as Prime Minister, including landmark legislation for women’s rights and social protection initiatives.

The Chairman Senate called for greater cooperation among OIC member states to address challenges faced by women, including those caused by conflict and climate change. He emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing a shared agenda for women’s empowerment, rooted in Islamic values.

Gilani concluded by urging OIC member states to set measurable targets to advance women’s education, leadership, and safety, expressing confidence in the potential for collective action to create a prosperous and inclusive future.