The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, an initiative established under the auspices of the intergovernmental Organization of Islamic Cooperation, announced a budget of 50 million USD this year to fund projects related to women’s education and empowerment.

The organization is largely funded by grants and donations sourced from all over the Muslim world. Dr. Salim Al Malik, the Director General of ISWESCO, anticipates a budget of 500 million USD –– around 1.8 billion AED –– by the year 2025. The ISWESCO began its 40th session with a two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi, which was attended by representatives from 54 member states of the organization. Al Malik stated that the projects will include giving logistical and financial support to girls in education in a number of African countries. The long term goal, however, is to promote educational attainment within these societies while abandoning existing “family protocols” that hinder women’s access to an education. As an additional step toward its goal of empowering women, ISWESCO has already begun recruiting women in significant positions. “ISWESCO will witness big jumps with regards to women leadership,” said Al Malik. He also engaged in a meeting with Sengalese Minister of Women, Family and Gender, Ndèye Saly Diop Dieng, where they decided to cooperate on two social projects in Senegal. The first project aims to create integrated centers for women and children who have been victims of violence and help them reintegrate into society. The second project focuses on building care centers that offer education and training to homeless or abandoned children.

"Education is the key to life. Girls are marginalized in many countries such as Niger, where only 5 out of 100 girls enrolled in primary schools reach the secondary school level," said the First Lady of the Republic of Niger, Lalla Malika Issoufou, emphasizing the importance of ISWESCO aiding women in gaining access to education.

All these projects are a part of a larger vision for the next phase of ISWESCO that aims to empower women so they can enjoy their rights relating to education, technology and science.