Pakistan, Turkey sign MoU on family affairs and social protection

Pakistan and Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in family affairs, social services and social protection on Sunday during a meeting between Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and his Turkish counterpart Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, during which the two ministers discussed women’s rights, family system and social protection.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Human Rights, the two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation on the rights of women and children, as well as the protection of the family system in the digital space.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting family well-being, strengthening social protection, exchanging expertise and advancing joint initiatives.

Pakistan and Turkey also agreed to further strengthen cooperation on women’s rights, social protection and institutional collaboration.

Earlier, Tarar, addressing a press conference in Islamabad, said hosting the two-day 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women is a distinctive honor for Pakistan, a state-led organization. Radio Pakistan reported.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the law minister said Pakistan would use this high-level forum to highlight the government’s initiatives aimed at empowering women and building an inclusive society.

Tarar said Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and a large number of women would also participate in the conference.

The conference titled “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in Organization of Islamic Cooperation Countries: Challenges and Ways Forward” is expected to bring together around 190 delegates from the 57 OIC Member States, including ministers, senior officials and eminent women leaders.

The Minister of Justice announced that the “Islamabad Declaration” would be adopted at the end of the conference.

Tarar stressed that it was a matter of great pride that Pakistan chaired the conference for the next two years. He said Pakistan was fully prepared to fulfill its obligations.

He said that representatives of 57 OIC member countries are participating in the conference, while various technical working groups are also part of the conference.

He said the technical sessions of the conference were underway today, while the central ministerial meeting would be held tomorrow. Tarar expressed the government’s determination to further advance the women’s rights protection agenda.

The foreign delegations were received at the Islamabad International Airport on Saturday by Minister of State for Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights Saba Sadiq and Parliamentary Secretary for Law and Justice Farah Naz Akbar, among other senior government officials.

Read: Pakistan hosts delegates of the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, July 12-13

Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, has been tasked by the government to chair the Ministerial Conference on Women to ensure that the country works closely with OIC Member States to advance efforts towards women’s empowerment across the Muslim world.

He was also tasked with fostering dialogue and building consensus for the unified cause of gender equality during the two-day conference.

The conference aims to empower women by promoting their social, economic, political and professional participation while advancing inclusive and sustainable development in the Muslim world.

Delegates are expected to deliberate on measures to expand women’s access to economic opportunities, financial systems, entrepreneurship, technology, as well as digital platforms, the statement continued.

The conference will build on the outcomes of previous OIC Ministerial Meetings on Women, particularly the eighth session held in Cairo in 2021, which focused on women’s empowerment, protection frameworks and strengthening their socio-economic participation.

As host, Pakistan remains committed to using the conference as a platform to reaffirm its commitment to consolidate cooperation among OIC Member States to reduce gender gaps and ensure inclusive development in all sectors.