The ceremony, held held virtually and face-to-face by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) under the theme "Women Icons: Inspiration for the Future", brought together high-profile women in various fields from the Islamic world and beyond, including first ladies, princesses, ministers, and leaders of international organizations.

In welcoming remarks, participants highlighted, through their successful experiences and expertise, the roles of women and the positive impact of inspiration for supporting women and girls in their societies and around the globe at the governmental, institutional, and social levels.

For his part, ICESCO's Director-General, Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek, welcomed the fact that this event is held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI to proclaim 2021 as the Year of Women. This Royal Solicitude reflects the special attention of the Sovereign towards women as an essential element of society, he said on this occasion.

ICESCO's decision to celebrate 2021 as the year of women is not a trivial one, but rather a choice crowned with merit for the pioneering roles played and assumed by women before and during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19). Women bore the heaviest burden and occupied the forefront of the health and education sectors, Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek noted.

By proclaiming the year of women, ICESCO reiterates its commitment to give women the means to exercise their rights, to value and elevate their status and to highlight their role not only in society, but also in shaping and building the future, he added.

"At ICESCO, we are working to empower women and give them the status they deserve and we extend our hands to cooperate with the bodies and institutions of our Member States and with international organizations to strengthen the pioneering role of women and support them in building better generations for the future," the official stated.

ICESCO's head also called for a forward-looking vision that will turn women's leadership into a strategic dimension in all sustainable development projects.

According to Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek, ICESCO is preparing to implement a series of initiatives, projects and programs throughout the year 2021, including the creation of a specialized international platform that will bring together influential and inspiring female icons, the launch of a sponsorship program for innovation and creativity initiatives in the fields of science and technology for young girls and boys, and the launch of a training program benefiting 1,000 leader girls.

During the ceremony, the "Light of the Future" program was launched. The measure is a symbol for ICESCO's 2021 Year of Women spanning several initiatives and projects to support girls and women and enhance their opportunities to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development of their communities.

The three sessions of the celebration will explore the themes "Inspiring and empowering government leaders," "Women's contributions to the development of the systems of international organizations," and "Inspiring and excelling in societal entrepreneurship."

The celebration will conclude by reading the declaration of the "light of the future."