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Somalia's Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, held a series of meetings in Islamabad over the weekend, focusing on expanding cooperation on human rights, women's empowerment, and child welfare with counterparts from Pakistan and Türkiye. The engagements took place on the sidelines of a meeting of women ministers from Islamic countries, according to reports from AllAfrica.

Coverage Comparison

Al-Makhzoumi met with Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, on Sunday, with discussions centering on strengthening bilateral cooperation in human rights promotion and protection, as well as institutional development. The ministers also emphasized closer collaboration in technical training, research, and coordination on regional and international human rights issues.

In a separate meeting with Türkiye's Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, the two ministers focused on strengthening cooperation in women's empowerment, child welfare, social protection services, and institutional capacity building. Both sides agreed to begin preparations for a memorandum of understanding covering priority areas such as women's development, child protection, and social services.

Additionally, Al-Makhzoumi paid an official visit to the Somali Embassy in Islamabad, where she was received by Somalia's ambassador to Pakistan, Sheikh Noor Mohamed Hassan, and embassy staff. The visit held particular significance as Al-Makhzoumi served as Somalia's ambassador to Pakistan for six years before joining the federal cabinet.

Key Claims

  • Al-Makhzoumi met with Tarar in Islamabad to explore ways to strengthen cooperation on human rights and institutional development, as reported by AllAfrica.
  • The ministers discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights, including exchanging expertise and enhancing the capacity to implement related policies and programmes.
  • Al-Makhzoumi thanked the Pakistani government for its warm hospitality and reaffirmed Somalia's commitment to promoting human rights through international cooperation.
  • In the meeting with Göktaş, the focus was on women's empowerment, child welfare, and social protection services, according to Somalia's Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development.
  • The ministers explored technical training, expertise exchange, and joint programmes aimed at improving services for women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
  • Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation and begin preparing a memorandum of understanding.
  • Al-Makhzoumi visited the Somali Embassy in Islamabad and was received by Ambassador Sheikh Noor Mohamed Hassan.
  • The minister praised embassy staff and encouraged them to strengthen services for Somali nationals and advance bilateral relations.

Context

Al-Makhzoumi's visit to Islamabad comes as part of Somalia's broader efforts to deepen international partnerships and advance diplomacy focused on human rights and social welfare, according to the Somali government.