PH’s First Muslim Woman Human Rights Commissioner Advocates the Full Enjoyment of the Rights of Muslim Women and Girls

CHR Commisioner Faydah Dumarpa highlighted how the Philippine Government advances the rights of Muslim women and girls, including by passing legislation to prohibit child marriage. (New York PM photo)

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 09 March 2023 — Commissioner Faydah M. Dumarpa of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) underscored the importance of advancing the rights and well-being of Muslim women and girls during the High-level segment of the Conference on Women in Islam: Understanding the Rights and Identity of Women in the Islamic World held on 08 March 2023 at the ECOSOC Chamber in the UN Headquarters.

Commissioner Dumarpa said that a law prohibiting child marriage was recently passed upon the collective and relentless advocacy from women’s human rights advocates and girl defender networks in indigenous and Muslim communities. She highlighted that it is a measure that directly responded to the lived experiences of women and girls who had to endure traditional practices prejudicial to their health and well-being.

“We believe, as shown in this forum on Muslim women, that States have important roles to play in the full advancement and empowerment of Muslim women and girls.  May we continue to work together in building a gender equal society for all women and girls everywhere, especially those often left behind,” Commissioner Dumarpa said.

The Conference on Women in Islam was an event organized by Pakistan, in their capacity Chair of the 48 CFM (48th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) with the aim to consider policies and actions required to overcome challenges and make sustainable progress towards advancing the rights and role of Muslim women across the world. It was held at the sidelines of the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67). END

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