Technical-level discussions opened in Islamabad on Sunday for the 9th Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a two-day gathering that places the host nation's own troubling gender parity data in sharp relief. Around 190 delegates from the OIC's 57 member states convened at the Jinnah Convention Centre for preparatory sessions before ministers meet on Monday. Main Developments Sunday's technical sessions approved the conference agenda and reviewed progress on the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan. The chair of the 8th OIC Ministerial Conference briefed participants on achievements since the previous gathering in Cairo, while reports from various institutions on women's development were also presented. Technical experts and senior officials finalised recommendations for consideration by ministers, who will meet on Monday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to inaugurate the ministerial session, which will be chaired by Law and Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on behalf of Pakistan. Read also: Why Pakistan’s $6bn Exchange Sale Signals Deeper Economic Strains Background The conference, themed “Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in the OIC Countries: Challenges and Way Forward,” builds on outcomes from the 8th Ministerial Conference held in Cairo in 2021. On the sidelines, Tarar held separate meetings with ministers and senior officials from Iran, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria, Somalia, and Yemen, as well as representatives of the Women Development Organization and the OIC Labour Centre. At a press conference ahead of Sunday's session, Tarar said Pakistan would use the forum to highlight the government's women's empowerment initiatives and its push for an inclusive society. He confirmed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja would also attend. Tarar announced that Pakistan would formally assume the OIC Ministerial Conference on Women's chairmanship from Egypt for the next two years. Why It Matters Pakistan's hosting of the conference comes as the country ranks last among 148 nations in the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2025, with 56.7 percent gender parity — its highest level since 2006 but a second consecutive drop from a peak of 57.7 percent in 2023. According to the International Labour Organisation, women in wage employment in Pakistan earn approximately 30 percent lower monthly wages than their male counterparts. The gathering provides a platform for Pakistan to present its domestic initiatives while also facing scrutiny over its own performance on gender equality. What's Next The ministerial session on Monday is expected to conclude with the adoption of an “Islamabad Declaration,” which Tarar said would outline a common framework for advancing women's empowerment and promoting inclusive, sustainable development across OIC member states. The conference aims to provide fresh momentum for greater collaboration among member countries to expand women's access to education, healthcare, employment, entrepreneurship, financial services, technology, and digital opportunities.