The headquarters of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the opening of the sixth edition of the Women Pioneering Oscar, organized by Cultures Without Borders Association, in collaboration with ICESCO, the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and the Wilaya of Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The event celebrated female leaders in Africa and drew the participation of high-profile figures, including prominent women, officials, experts, specialists, and representatives from various civil society organizations.

Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, started his opening remark by welcoming Ms. Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia, as the guest of honor of this edition. Dr. Almalik affirmed that the empowerment of women and the pursuit of gender balance have consistently stood at the forefront of values essential for forming the foundation of Islamic civilization. Furthermore, he emphasized that achieving sustainable development, peace, and prosperity in societies is challenging unless the rights and well-being of women are secured comprehensively across all facets of life.

Dr. AlMalik pointed out that the Women Pioneering Oscar is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and success stories of women, highlighting that ICESCO’s commitment to advancing women goes beyond mere rhetoric, it is a deeply rooted conviction actively put into practice. Moreover, he stressed ICESCO’s dedication to empowering women and girls and prioritizing their issues, as demonstrated by the Year of Women 2021, enhancing their contribution to building thriving societies. He also provided an overview of key programs launched and implemented by ICESCO in the fields of education, science, and culture for the benefit of women.

In her address, the First Lady of the Gambia expressed her joy at participating in the opening of the Women Pioneering Oscar and outlined prominent programs and initiatives she oversaw in supporting women, and children, improving their living conditions, and encouraging the education of girls in the Gambia.

Ms. Naïma Badaoui, President of Cultures Without Borders Association, affirmed that the sixth edition of the Women Pioneering Oscar aims to strengthen South-South cooperation and underscore the central role of African women in development.

Following the remarks, Ms. Badaoui presented an honorary shield to the ICESCO Director-General in appreciation of the Organization’s contributions to supporting women’s issues, empowerment, and enhancing their status in society.

Additionally, she presented another honorary shield to the First Lady of The Gambia, acknowledging her tireless efforts in supporting women and children.

Subsequently, three scientific sessions were held, discussing topics related to women’s contribution to health, the interplay between women’s rights and family matters, and the role of university education in cultivating women’s leadership capacities.