OIC and UN Women Sign New Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Women’s Empowerment

JEDDAH, MAR 21 (DNA): The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality through the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on 20 March 2025 at the UN Headquarters in New York.

H.E. Ambassador Hameed A. Opeloyeru, the Permanent Observer of the OIC to the United Nations, signed the MoU on behalf of the OIC, while H.E. Dr. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, represented her organization.

In his remarks, Ambassador Opeloyeru emphasized the significance of the renewed collaboration between the two institutions. “Today’s event is yet another milestone in the inter-institutional cooperation between the OIC and UN Women. It is clear evidence of our shared commitment to the advancement of women’s rights and welfare, in alignment with the goals of both organizations,” he stated. He further highlighted OIC’s recent initiatives, including the establishment of the Women Development Organization (WDO) headquartered in Cairo and the successful convening of the International Conference on Women in Islam in Jeddah in 2023. These efforts reflect the OIC’s dedication to promoting women’s economic participation, leadership, and protection against gender-based challenges.

Dr. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, welcomed the MoU as a crucial step toward ensuring lasting progress in women’s empowerment and their full participation in all aspects of society worldwide. “The partnership between UN Women and the OIC is built on a shared vision of empowering women in all aspects of life. This renewed agreement provides a robust framework for strategic initiatives that will drive tangible change, particularly in economic empowerment, leadership opportunities, and protection of women’s rights within OIC member states and beyond,” she stated.  She also praised OIC’s efforts in advancing the status of women in the Islamic world and reiterated UN Women’s commitment to supporting these initiatives through expertise, resources, and advocacy.

The signing of this MoU marks a continuation of a successful collaboration that began in 2017. The previous agreement, which expired in 2020, laid the foundation for several impactful initiatives. This renewed partnership builds upon past achievements and paves the way for greater cooperation in areas such as policy advocacy, capacity-building, and joint research on women’s empowerment.

Both organizations expressed confidence that the MoU will strengthen their ability to address challenges facing women globally while respecting cultural and religious values. The OIC remains dedicated to leveraging its institutional framework to support gender equality according to the Islamic values, while UN Women continues to champion policies that foster inclusive and sustainable development for women everywhere.