Indonesian Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise called for technical cooperation for the empowerment of women at the 6th ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states.

The meeting was held from November 1 to 3, 2016, in Istanbul.

Herry Sudradjat, Indonesian Consul General to Istanbul, told ANTARA News here on Friday that the ministerial meeting on the Role of Women was held biennially under the framework of the OIC, which specifically addresses issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women in OIC member countries.

Sudradjat said the meeting was intended to adapt the mechanisms and institutions of OIC to address the current problems faced by women in Muslim countries.

Yohana shared Indonesias experiences on the achievements and challenges in implementing the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women during the meeting.

The minister explained, among other things, the increased participation of women in decision making and economic empowerment, and called for the protection of women from violence, natural disasters and armed conflict in Muslim countries.

She noted that the OIC ministerial meeting could improve the foundation of cooperation in the field of womens empowerment by bring about a change in the document of the OIC Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW) to develop the driving mechanism of OIC women cooperation.

In addition, the meeting also agreed to OIC Advisory Mechanism and the appointment of Goodwill Ambassadors for family affairs and womens empowerment, protection of the family and the institution of marriage.

The minister stressed that the solidarity and the promotion of womens issues among Muslim countries can be realized significantly through technical cooperation.
Source: ANTARA