Cairo (TDI): Pakistan reiterated commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment through integrated reforms in education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and labor markets at an international conference organized by the OIC Women Development Organization (OIC-WDO) in Egypt.
The conference, titled “Harnessing Religious and Media Discourse and its Impact on the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights in OIC Member States,” was held at the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif Centre under the auspices of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
It brought together policymakers and stakeholders from across the Muslim world to discuss strategies for strengthening women’s rights through inclusive policy frameworks and societal discourse.
Pakistan’s official delegation was led by Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training, alongside Mehreen Gul, representing the Ministry of Human Rights.
The delegation emphasized that increasing women’s participation in the labor force is not only a social imperative but also a key driver of sustainable economic growth, particularly for countries confronting demographic challenges and economic pressures.
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Addressing the conference, the Pakistani delegation outlined a range of ongoing national initiatives aimed at reducing structural barriers to women’s economic participation.
These include women-focused entrepreneurship policies, labor law reforms, digital skills development programs, the promotion of women-friendly workplaces, and the expansion of social protection mechanisms to support women entering and remaining in the workforce.
From an education and skills development perspective, Pakistan highlighted the importance of aligning training programs with labor market demand, particularly in emerging growth sectors.
The delegation stressed that demand-driven skills development, coupled with certified training pathways, is essential for improving women’s employability and long-term economic prospects.
Equally important, they noted, is the provision of care-supportive infrastructure, such as childcare facilities, to enhance women’s retention in training programs and formal employment.
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The delegation also underscored the need to integrate financial inclusion with skills development and entrepreneurship support.
According to the Pakistani representatives, access to financial services, combined with digital literacy and market-relevant skills, can enable women to transition into productive, sustainable livelihoods and contribute more effectively to national economies.
In concluding remarks, Pakistan emphasized that a coordinated and integrated approach, bringing together education, skills training, care infrastructure, financial inclusion, and robust legal protections, is critical to unlocking women’s economic potential.
Such comprehensive policy frameworks, the delegation stated, offer one of the most effective pathways toward inclusive and sustainable growth across OIC member states.
