Musawah - For Equality in the Family

► WHO WE ARE

Musawah was initiated in March 2007 by Sisters in Islam, a Malaysian non-governmental organisation that is committed to promoting the rights of women within the framework of Islam, and a 12-member international planning committee of activists and scholars from 11 countries. The committee came together to consolidate information, experiences, and ideas that have been used by NGOs and activists in countries around the world to advance equality in the family. Women’s groups have been conducting these advocacy efforts for decades (see the background papers for more information).

Musawah's principles, outlined in its Framework for Action, are:

The universal and Islamic values of equality, non-discrimination, justice and dignity as the basis of all human relations;
Full and equal citizenship, including full participation in all aspects of society, as the right of every individual; and
Marriage and family relations based on equality and justice, with men and women sharing equal rights and responsibilities.

Individuals and NGOs from 48 countries around the world are involved with or supporting Musawah by participating in the Musawah 2009 Global Meeting, holding national consultations on equality in the family, contributing to the conceptual framework that guides Musawah's work, and sharing information with organisations in other countries. National Profiles on why and how equality and justice are necessary and possible in the local context are available for many of these countries.

► Job Opportunities

There are no openings at the Musawah Secretariat at this time.

► Musawah Planning Committee

Musawah Planning Committee

The Musawah planning committee was established by Sisters in Islam to develop Musawah’s direction and activities. The members of the committee come from diverse contexts and backgrounds, but all have extensive experience and expertise in family laws either from academic or activist perspectives. Though the members serve on the committee in their individual capacities, their affiliations are listed below to illustrate their backgrounds:

Dr. Amal Abdel Hadi
Co-founder, New Woman Foundation
Egypt

Dr. Amira El-Azhary Sonbol
Professor, Georgetown University and Qatar University
Egypt / Qatar / United States

Ms. Asma’u Joda
Project Coordinator, Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment
Nigeria

Ms. Azza Soliman
General Director, Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance
Egypt

Ms. Cassandra Balchin
Member, Board of Directors, Muslim Women's Network-UK
United Kingdom

Dr. Isatou Touray
Executive Director, Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP)
Gambia

Ms. Kamala Chandrakirana
Chairperson, National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan)
Indonesia

Ms. Pinar Ilkkaracan
Co-Founder, Women for Women’s Human Rights – NEW WAYS
Turkey

Ms. Rabéa Naciri
Former President, Association Démocratique des Femmes du Maroc
Morocco

Mr. Sohail Akbar Warraich
Independent Expert
Pakistan / United Kingdom

Ms. Zainah Anwar
Founder and former Executive Director, Sisters in Islam
Malaysia

Dr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini
Research Associate, Centre for Islamic & Middle Eastern Law, School of Oriental and African Studies
Iran / United Kingdom

► Musawah Funders

Musawah's activities have been generously supported by Oxfam Novib, the Ford Foundation, the Global Fund for Women, the Sigrid Rausing Trust, Hivos, the Canadian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur and UNFPA.