Jeddah, November 07, 2023, In a significant event held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia played host to the "International Conference on Women in Islam: Status and Empowerment" in Jeddah. This conference, organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), marked a crucial forum for discussing the challenges and empowerment of women within the Islamic world.
During the inaugural session, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, delivered an address expressing appreciation to the participating delegations for their response to the Kingdom's call to convene this vital conference. He underscored the numerous challenges faced by women in areas affected by war and armed conflict, which include violence, poverty, fear, marginalization, and the lack of access to essential healthcare and education for their children. Prince Faisal stressed the necessity of dedicated efforts to safeguard and support these highly vulnerable groups.
The minister highlighted the conference's significance in the backdrop of the distressing circumstances endured by Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip due to ongoing Israeli violations of international laws and humanitarian principles. He noted the international community's silence and failure to fulfill its duties, calling for an immediate halt to the escalation, bloodshed, and the urgent provision of humanitarian aid.
Prince Faisal firmly condemned the violations, illegal practices, and crimes against humanity perpetrated against Palestinian women and the Palestinian people by the Israeli war machine. He expressed admiration for the pivotal roles and significant sacrifices made by women in the pursuit of justice for their cause.
In some countries, Muslim women grapple with challenges such as harassment and discrimination, often stemming from restrictive legislation limiting their rights, particularly concerning the wearing of the hijab. Prince Faisal pointed out that these practices, driven by Islamophobia, run contrary to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979.
Highlighting Saudi Arabia's rapid strides in empowering women, Prince Faisal aligned these efforts with Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030. Saudi women have emerged as indispensable partners in the nation's journey of transformation, development, and growth across various sectors. The foreign minister spotlighted the remarkable increase in women's workforce participation, from 19.3% in 2016 to 37%. Women now own 45% of small and medium-sized enterprises and hold 39% of leadership positions, a notable increase from the previous 17 percent.
Additionally, Prince Faisal lauded the OIC's commitment to empowering women and advocating for their interests. He highlighted the establishment of a specialized organization for women's development within the OIC, led by a Saudi woman.
Finally, the conference resulted in the official document known as the "Jeddah Document for Women in Islam." This comprehensive document addresses the rights of women in Islam and is set to serve as a legal, legislative, and intellectual reference. It is anticipated to play a vital role in advancing the empowerment of women within Islamic societies.
