Ms Sarah bint Amjad Hussein, Director of Family and Women’s Affairs at the Academy, participated in the conference organised by the National Council for Women titled “Leveraging Religious and Media Discourse to Support Women’s Issues.” The conference was held from 1 to 2 February 2026, with the participation of a distinguished group of religious and media leaders, experts in women’s issues and development, and representatives from government institutions and civil society organisations.
The conference addressed the importance of utilising religious and media discourse to enhance societal awareness of women’s issues and to reinforce correct concepts regarding women’s roles within the family and society. It emphasised the need for a balanced and moderate discourse that supports women’s status and strengthens their participation in the development process.
Conference sessions also discussed the role of media in shaping public awareness and the importance of presenting responsible content that highlights successful female role models and addresses women’s issues objectively. Participants underscored the need to counter negative stereotypes and promote a culture of respect and equality within society.
Discussions further explored the role of religious institutions in promoting enlightened awareness that reflects religious values supporting women’s dignity and rights, while correcting misconceptions. The sessions stressed the importance of coordination between religious and media institutions to build a positive societal discourse that upholds the values of justice and shared responsibility.
Participants also reviewed a number of experiences and initiatives that employ media and religious discourse to support women’s issues and enhance their role across social, economic, and cultural fields, thereby contributing to sustainable development.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Cairo Declaration was issued, containing a set of principles and recommendations. Among the most prominent were the importance of developing religious and media discourse that is more attuned to women’s issues, and of strengthening cooperation between religious and media institutions to disseminate positive awareness messages that support women’s roles in society. The declaration also called for supporting training programs for media professionals and preachers, and for encouraging the production of media content that presents a balanced, positive image of women and highlights their contributions across various fields.