Pakistan, July 13 -- The ninth Ministerial Conference on Women of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) opened in Islamabad on Sunday with technical-level meetings, setting the stage for ministerial deliberations on women's empowerment across the Muslim world.

The two-day conference has brought together around 190 delegates, including ministers, senior government officials and representatives from the OIC's 57 member states, to discuss ways to enhance women's social, economic and political participation and strengthen cooperation among member countries.

Held under the theme, "The Social, Economic and Political Empowerment of Women in OIC Countries: Challenges and the Way Forward," the conference will focus on expanding women's a...