JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation hosts the international conference “Women in Islam: Status and Empowerment” in Jeddah on Monday. The three-day event is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Muslim women throughout history. It aims to emphasize the contributions of women to the development of the OIC member states and to counter negative propaganda that portrays the Islamic religion as an impediment to women’s rights. The conference aims to showcase that Islamic teachings have consistently upheld principles of justice and equity for women. It also seeks to develop a comprehensive plan for legal and political reforms that will promote justice and empowerment for women within Islamic societies. It is also expected to adopt a comprehensive document, The Jeddah Document for Women in Islam, which outlines key initiatives and strategies for achieving this goal. The conference consists of five working sessions, during which ministers, officials, scholars, and thinkers will explore the status of women and their rights in Islam. They will assess the potential for empowering Muslim women in education and employment, as well as various issues related to women in contemporary societies. Saudi Arabia presented an initiative to host a conference with the primary focus on empowering women during the 49th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which took place in Mauritania in March. The council adopted a ministerial decision endorsing the initiative.  The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s dedication to bolstering women’s empowerment, both within its borders and in alignment with its commitment to supporting such endeavors within the OIC and the broader international context. These efforts aim to strengthen women’s roles in the sphere of comprehensive development.