Recent Issues

Marriage and Family Institution in OIC Member Countries (05 June 2023) Safeguarding Family Values and the Institution of Marriage in OIC Countries (17 February 2017)

Introduction

SESRIC has launched the 2023 edition of its report on “Marriage and Family Institution in OIC Member Countries” during the Second Session of the Ministerial Conference on Social Development, which was held on 05-06 June 2023 in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt. During the Conference, H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK, the Director General of SESRIC, briefed the participants about the main findings of the report. The report examines the status of the marital and family institution and maps ongoing and emerging trends that affect familial and marital values and demographics in OIC countries. The main findings of the report point out that family unit in the OIC group generally have more than five members, often from multiple generations. However, the formulation and structure of family is changing amid the shift in age at first marriage and increase in divorce rates. Nevertheless, in general, OIC countries are characterized by the existence of stronger family bonds where the institution of marriage is still a cornerstone in the family-building process and family members support each other in the socio-economic life thanks to existing social, cultural, and religious values in the Islamic world. The report also underlines that many OIC countries pay the utmost attention to the protection and empowerment of family institution. In this context, member countries have implemented a wide range of special programmes and interventions with a view to strengthening this important institution. The report also emphasizes the critical role played by the OIC-level initiatives in the field of marriage and family. Notably, the adoption of the “OIC Strategy for the Empowerment of the Marriage and Family Institution” in 2019 was an important milestone that puts forth seven strategic goals prioritizing the well-being of families and streamlining their contribution toward sustainable social and economic development in OIC countries. The report concludes with a set of policy recommendations aiming to drawing the attention of policymakers and stakeholders in OIC countries to further enhancing intra-OIC cooperation in sharing of knowledge and best practices among OIC countries in this important domain.