THE TWO-day second ministerial conference on the role of women in development aimed at drawing up an inaugural working plan to boost the social role of women within the framework of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), reports Reem Leila. The conference, held on 24-25 November, met under the auspices of Suzanne Mubarak, head of the National Council for Women (NCW), along with the participation of 41 member states and more than 20 ministers from abroad as well as representatives of a number of international organisations concerned in order to formulate the first action plan on women's affairs. Participants discussed the advancement of women and ways to eradicate poverty, achieving sustainable development, the provision of appropriate resources and support as keys to achieving gender equality, the empowerment of women at all levels and sectors, as well as how to enhance their participation in decision-making at the local and national levels and means of protecting women from all forms of violence and discrimination. The conference also gave special attention to women's education as well as female literacy, and ways to follow up the implementation of the Cairo plan of action for women issued at the end of the conference. Mrs Mubarak said the conference, organised by the OIC, is a start for a new phase in activating the role of women in developing Islamic societies. "No society can remain sound without cooperation between the two genders, where rights and duties should be apportioned," Mrs Mubarak said. Opening the conference, OIC Secretary- General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the promotion of the status of women constitutes one of the main issues that need addressing. Ihsanoglu said enhancing the role of women to secure sound societies and families had become the criterion of progress and development of the human race. The action plan issued at the conclusion of the conference included pivotal women's activities that contribute to women's empowerment throughout Muslim countries. The first ministerial meeting of the OIC on women was held in Istanbul, Turkey, 20- 21 November 2006.
