Welcome

Distinguished Guests,

I would like to express the great pleasure I take in meeting you on the occasion of the conference on “Change In Muslim Societies And Role Of Women” to be held in Istanbul hosted by our country between the dates 22 – 24 December 2011 with the contributions of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation and the Union of Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation.

As is common knowledge, in the light of the historical experiences of mankind on the path to attaining the current level of civilization, respect for human rights, fundamental rights and freedoms and equality between men and women have currently become the common assets of the international society; furthermore, the principle of equality and nondiscrimination has made its way into all documents concerning human rights. In today’s world, in all societies, in the process of democratization, it is indispensible for equality and sustainable development, as well as, building and maintaining peace, that women enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms and they become more efficiently involved in the decision-making mechanisms. We, as the Islamic community, should not underestimate the role of our women who comprise half the population of our society.  We should eliminate the barriers before them and pave the way for their equal participation and representation in all the social, political and economic processes, fully supporting them as equal human beings.

Therefore, I believe that the Conference, which is to be held with the participation of the Ministers, Parliamentarians, academicians and representatives of civil society, where the issues related to women’s role in the process of democratization and new constitutional preparations, the relationship among democracy, gender equality and Islam, the promotion of civil society and regional cooperation are to be discussed, will enable exchange of knowledge and experience among Muslim communities and strengthen our regional cooperation capacity further.

Fatma ŞAHİN

Minister of Family and Social Policies