Sub-Committee on Women's Rights
OICOA

In this regard, I am pleased to highlight the appointment of a woman to the high-ranking State position of Vice President of the Republic, a position now enshrined in the Constitution of Benin; the revision of the Electoral Code to ensure improved representation of women in the national Parliament; and the strengthening of the mandate of the National Institute for Women to enable a more effective response to Gender-Based Violence, as well as the reinforcement of the legislative framework for combating Gender-Based Violence through the adoption of three specific laws.

Furthermore, in light of the provisions contained in international conventions including CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Millennium Development Goals, the Solemn Declaration of African Heads of State on Gender Equality in Africa, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and its Protocol on the Rights of Women, the Government of Benin has undertaken commitments, adopted measures and implemented actions aimed at promoting gender equality.

Institutional Measures include: the establishment of a Ministry responsible for the promotion of women (1998); a Ministry of Microfinance dedicated to microcredit and entrepreneurship for youth and women (2006); the National Institute for the Promotion of Women to conduct studies on women's issues (2009); gender focal points within ministries and municipalities (2007); the National Council for the Promotion of Gender Equity and Equality (2014); girls' secondary schools across all departments; and support and listening services for victims of gender-based violence within 85 Social Promotion Centres (2010).

Strategic Measures include: adoption of the National Gender Promotion Policy and its Action Plan (2009); an Action Plan to Combat Gender-Based Violence (2010); integration of gender considerations into the State's General Budget Economic Orientation Framework (2013); and development of Standard Operating Procedures for the integrated care of victims of gender-based violence (2014).

Social and Economic Measures include: progressive introduction of free education and fee exemptions for girls in secondary education; government support for girls in technical education; free caesarean section services; a microcredit programme for the poorest, of which over 98 percent of beneficiaries are women; the Rural Agricultural Activities Support Fund; and a programme providing work equipment to women's groups involved in processing primary sector products, benefiting approximately 425 groups.

In conclusion, this list of initiatives aimed at promoting women's rights and gender equality is not exhaustive. Many other initiatives are being implemented by Civil Society Organizations and Technical and Financial Partners. Thank you for your attention.

These amendments stipulate: • that employers are obliged to pay equal wages to employees performing the same or different work of equal value regardless of gender, • that the equal value of work is determined by the employer, taking into account working conditions, the nature of labour functions, and tariff-qualification characteristics envisaged in the Unified Tariff-Qualification Reference Books currently in force.

Each pillar reflects Bahrain's National Action Plan, CEDAW commitments, and Vision 2030 goals for inclusive development. National Plan for the Advancement of Bahraini Women (2025–2026) Theme: "Bahraini Women: Empowerment, Progress, and Leadership" Approved by the Supreme Council for Women (SCW), chaired by HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. Family Stability: Preserving family values; supporting women in balancing family and societal roles. Decision-Making: Enhancing women's participation in legislative, executive, and leadership roles. Economic Participation: Equal opportunities, female entrepreneurship, and workforce integration. Quality of Life: Health, sports, environment, housing, and social services tailored to women.

Definitive adoption of the law authorizing the ratification of the African Protocol on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On Friday, May 15, 2026, the deputies unanimously adopted the bill authorizing the ratification of the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights relating to the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. The African protocol enshrines fundamental principles such as non-discrimination and equality before the law, accessibility and full inclusion of persons with disabilities, and participation in political, social, cultural, and sports life.

Adoption of the legal framework for gender-sensitive budgeting. Togo has taken significant steps to integrate the gender dimension into its budget management. This approach was formalized by inter-ministerial order N°007/2026/MBF/MSGFPE on May 11, 2026, which establishes the necessary foundations for a budget that takes into account the specific needs of women and men.

I offer my sincere gratitude to Ms. Fauzia Viqar for steering this immense analytical undertaking, and to the specialized team at the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment whose meticulous efforts made this compendium a reality. Equally, we owe a profound debt of gratitude to the participating Member States of the OICOA Sub-Committee on Women's Rights: Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Senegal, and Togo for so generously offering the legal architectures of their respective states for international peer review.

Looking ahead, the OICOA Secretariat remains deeply invested in the forthcoming convenings of this Sub-Committee. We eagerly anticipate the progress towards this Sub-Committee's Plan of Action, as it is not just a mere administrative milestone, but is brimming with the potential to serve as a rigorous operational blueprint designed to drive systemic, cross-border impact for the advancement and protection of women's rights across the OIC region.