On 22 December 2025, the First Meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ombudsman Association (OICOA) was convened at the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (FOSPAH), Islamabad. The high-level meeting brought together Ombudsman institutions from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, and Türkiye, alongside representatives of the OIC Women Development Organization, as well as the Provincial Ombudsmen of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Welcoming the distinguished delegates, Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar emphasized that the advancement of women’s rights across OIC member states demands collective wisdom, shared responsibility, and sustained institutional commitment. She underscored the importance of collaborative platforms such as the OICOA Sub-Committee in translating normative commitments into practical, results-oriented institutional action.
The meeting served as a strategic forum for the exchange of national experiences, reforms, and best practices, while also enabling candid reflection on persistent structural and operational challenges. Member states highlighted notable progress, including the removal of barriers to women’s employment, enhanced political participation, and increased parliamentary representation. At the same time, participants acknowledged continuing gaps, particularly in reporting mechanisms, leadership representation, and institutional accessibility for women seeking redress.
Deliberations were firmly aligned with the broader vision and policy frameworks of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, reinforcing the role of Ombudsman institutions as key accountability mechanisms in promoting gender justice, rule of law, and inclusive governance.
The Sub-Committee concluded with the adoption of a forward-looking agenda focused on capacity building, strengthened inter-institutional cooperation, and the development of harmonized standards to enhance the protection and promotion of women’s rights across OIC member states. The collective resolve reaffirmed a shared commitment to dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity for women throughout the OIC region.
Addressing the forum, Almas Ali Jovindah, Executive Secretary of OICOA, underscored the strategic centrality of women’s rights within the OICOA framework. He highlighted the value of collective learning, institutional collaboration, and sustained regional engagement in strengthening Ombudsman responses to gender-based challenges and advancing a coherent, rights-based approach across member institutions.
