The Women Development Organization (WDO) is pleased to announce that H.E. Ambassador Sherif Issa has assumed his duties as Deputy Executive Director, effective 26 April 2026.

In the framework of his functions, His Excellency will support the Executive Director in advancing the organization’s mandate, strengthening institutional partnerships, and furthering its efforts to empower women across the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

WDO looks forward to benefiting from his expertise and leadership in advancing its mission and reinforcing its strategic priorities.

05-12-2024 -  The Women Development Organization (WDO) expresses its deep concern over reports of a decree banning women in Afghanistan from pursuing nursing and midwifery education. This decision severely undermines Afghan women’s right to education and professional development, particularly in critical healthcare fields.

Cairo, Egypt 24th October 2024 – The Women Development Organization (WDO) held a virtual symposium today, unveiling two policy papers that focus on women's economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and their vital role in building peaceful and inclusive societies.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – September 17, 2024

The Women Development Organization (WDO) convened a high-level meeting at the Embassy of the Republic of Djibouti in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. Organized in collaboration with His Excellency, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Riyadh, Ambassador Diaa-Eddine Bamakhrama, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti, the event brought together more than 50 ambassadors and representatives from member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Yaoundé, Cameroon, August 30, 2024 – The Women Development Organization (WDO) participated in the 50th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Led by the Executive Director Dr. Afnan Alshuaiby, the WDO delegation engaged in productive discussions with ministers, heads of sister organizations, and representatives from OIC member states.

Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt – 12^th of August 2024

The Women Development Organization (WDO)’s virtual symposium, “Palestinian Women and Girls: Challenges and Resilience,” successfully brought together a distinguished group of experts and policymakers to address the pressing issues faced by Palestinian women and girls.

H.E. Dr. Afnan Alshuaiby, Executive Director of WDO, met with H.E. Dr. Ali bin Abdullah bin Musa, Secretary-General of the International Council for Arabic Language in the Organization’s Headquarters in Cairo. Both parties discussed ways to strengthen joint cooperation in empowering women and promoting the Arabic language. They agreed on the importance of utilizing women's expertise and capabilities in various fields to serve the Arabic language, especially in light of the challenges it faces in the current era. They have also discussed preparations for the upcoming International Arabic Language Conference. The conference aims to highlight women's role in preserving the Arabic language. Both parties emphasized the importance of active women's participation in the conference to provide insights and develop plans to protect and enhance the status of the Arabic language.

H.E. Dr. Afnan Alshuaiby the Executive Director of WDO met with H.E. Mr. Nasser Ayman Majali, Secretary General of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation, which is affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) during the UN OIC General Meeting in Astana, Kazakhastan. They discussed programs of common interest between the two organizations and how some of the Federation's programs can be adapted to empower women in sports within the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

H.E. Dr. Afnan Alshuaiby, the Executive Director of the Women Development Organization WDO, met with Dr. Moez Doraid, Regional Director of, UN Women Regional Director in the Arab States during the UN OIC General Meeting in Astana, Kazakhastan. They discussed various shared topics aimed at empowering women in several member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Both parties agreed to continue their meetings and formulate action plans for effective collaboration.

H.E. Dr. Afnan Alshuaiby met with the Director General of IOFS, H.E. Berik Aryn, at the organization's headquarters in the capital Astana, Kazakhstan, on the sidelines of the general meetings between United Nations organizations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation organizations.