October 2026

INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES AND STRONGER DEMOCRACIES (MADRID) 123

September 2026

VAWG SYMPOSIUM (JEDDAH) 123

The International Islamic Fiqh Academy in Jeddah hosted an International VAWG Symposium, bringing together male and female scholars from across the world to discuss different forms of abuse and how misconceptions and misinterpretations of religious texts including taken out of context can be used to justify harm. MWNUK CEO Baroness Gohir attended the event and shared some perspectives from Muslim women in the UK.

August 2026

THE CAYMANIAN JOURNAL FORUM (GRAND CAYMAN) 123

The new media media establishment, The Caymanian Journal held its inaugural Forum in August 2026 where MWNUK CEO Baroness Shaista Gohir addressed the issues of domestic and sexual abuse and the importance of being independent to hold decision makers to account. She shared UK experiences including gaps in the law and what else needs to happen including to tackling misogyny before it turns into violence. 

April 2025

Saudi Arabia Visit 123

MWNUK CEO Baroness Gohir visited a number of organisations in Riyadh and Jeddah to learn more about the Saudi context and exchange learning, which included meetings at the Human Rights Commission, Family Affairs Council, King Abdul Aziz Centre for Cultural Communication, Mawaddah,Organisation of Islamic Corporation and the Islamic Development Bank.

Dec 2023

COP28 Fringe Event (UAE) 123

MWNUK CEO Baroness Gohir was a guest speaker at a fringe event during the COP28 Climate Change Conference hosted by the Global Citizen Forum where she spoke about what it means to be a global citizen particularly emphasising the lack of empathy amongst world leaders today.

Sept 2023

Saudi Human Rights Commission Delegation (LONDON) 123

MWNUK hosted a delegation from the Saudi Human Rights Commission, which included its President Dr. Hala Al-Tuwaijri. A roundtable discussion was held in the House of Lords. The rights of Muslim women both in the UK and Saudi Arabia were discussed.

Oct 2019

Women Against Extremism - Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) 123

June 2019

Fighting Discrimination and Hate Speech - Turin (Italy) 123

Feb 2016

Muslim Voices Exchange Programme - Indonesia / Malaysia (2016) 123

MWNUK Chair was part of a small delegation arranged by the Homeoffice to visit Indonesia and Malaysia to exchange learning with counter-extremism practitioners and community leaders to be able to build international best practice and establish sustainable working partnerships.  The visit took place in February 2016.  The delegation from these countries also visited MWNUK offices in March 2016.

Apr 2015

Annual International Mediation Congress - Romania (2015) 123

MWNUK were partners of the MBBI 7th Annual International Mediation Congressheld 23-26 April 2015 in Bucharest, ‎Romania. Vice-chair Nazmin Akthar Sheikh presented a workshop on the experiences of British Muslim women in accessing divorce through Shariah Councils.

May 2013

US Embassy Visit (2013) 123

On 30th May 2013, representatives from the US Embassyvisited the MWNUK offices to discuss U.S. foreign policy.  Local Muslim women were invited to attend the meeting and asked questions and robustly challenged specific policy issues of concern.  The issues raised by participants included thedrone attacks in Pakistan, therole of US in conflicts around the worldandsale of weapons to states with questionable human rights records.

Apr 2013

Musawah Meeting in Cairo (2013) 123

As a newly appointed member of Musawah's International Advisory group,  Shaista Gohir (Chair of MWNUK), attended a planning meeting inCairo (18-21 April 2013).  The planning session included moving the secretariat office from Kuala Lumpur to Cairo, fund raising, communications and building and disseminating knowledge.  To find out more about the global Muslim Women's Movement visit Musawah's website

2013

Mediators Beyond Borders Annual Mediation Congress - Turkey (2013) 123

Muslim Women's Network UK Vice-Chair Nazmin Akthar attended as the UK delegate and partner representative of MBB's 6th Annual Mediation Congress along with the likes of UN Development Programme Turkey, International Mediation Institute and Pepperdine University School of Law. Held in Istanbul, the three day conference explored the world of mediation through various lectures and workshops such as oncross-cultural mediation, exploration of religious disputes and conciliation as well as the role of women mediators in conflict situations. Attendees were from across the world including Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Belgium, US, Canada and Australia.

Apr 2012

AWID Forum - Turkey (2012) 123

In April 2012, MWNUK Chair Shaista Gohir, attended the AWID Forum in Istanbul where 2000 women's rights activists gathered to share experiences on barriers faced and good practice in their contexts.  Shaista also took her 10 year old daughter Aaliyah who interviewed several activists from around the world and wrote a blog about them in a national South Asian newspaper.

Apr 2012

Musawah Global Life Stories Project Workshop - Bali (2012) 123

The Global Life Stories Project, part of the Musawah Knowledge Building Initiative on Qiwamah and Wilayah, began an e-learning circle for the 12 national teams (from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Gambia, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, United Kingdom) participating in the project.  A workshop was held for the participants to discuss the methodology for the research in April 2012.  Mussururt Zia represented MWNUK at the workshop. 

2012

Visit from Acid Survivors Foundation Bangladesh (2012) 123

Board member, Robina Iqbal , hosted Monira Rahman at the MWNUK office. Monira is the Executive Director of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), an organisation that has been working on acid violence issues in Bangladesh . She shared stories of women who had been attacked and how this is being tackled. She wants more awareness raised about acid attacks to find out more, please visit:https://www.acidsurvivors.org

2012

Musawah Global Life Stories Project - Malaysia (2012) 123

Musawah held a workshop to report back on their Life Stories project. Board Director Mussurut Zia is carrying out on behalf of MWNUK and therefore attended the workshop. The project has 3 components: production of new feminist knowledge that critically engages with classical jurists' interpretations of qiwamah and wilayah; documenting life stories of how qiwamah and wilayah are experienced; and use of quantitative and qualitative data to show the disconnect between law and the socio- economic realities of Muslim women today.

Oct 2011

WISE Muslim Women Conference - Turkey (2011) 123

WISE held its 3rd global Conference, "Muslim Women Leaders at the Frontlines of Change," in Istanbul, Turkey from October 14 - 17, 2011.  More than 180 Muslim women from 45 countries, which include Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, attended panels on Muslim women's leadership.  The Conference specifically focused on religious & spiritual, political and business & civic leadership, with an emphasis on highlighting how Muslim women are shattering stereotypes by playing significant roles as key leaders in these areas. Faeeza Vaid represented MWNUK at the conference.

Dec 2010

Hosted a delegation of Turkish journalists (2010) 123

In December 2010, seven journalists from various media outlets in Turkey visited the MWNUK offices accompanied by representatives from the government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).  A discussion was held on issues concerning Muslim women in Britain and other contexts as well as activities carried out by MWNUK.

Aug 2010

Annual Conference on impact of religious extremism on women's rights - Italy (2010) 123

In August 2010, Faeeza Vaid, Muslim Women's Coordinator attended the conference that was held at the Agape Ecumenical Centre in Prali, Italy where she presented on Muslim women's specific oppression and Muslim women's rights in the context of religious fundamentalisms.  The conference gave Faeeza an opportunity to deal with the many stereotypes of Muslim women, and to understand better both the oppression and the liberation potential of Islam, specifically for women. She also addressed issues which were particular to an European context.

2010

Musawah - Indonesia (2010) 123

MWNUK are a part of the Musawah global movement (www.musawah.org). Shaista Gohir and Cassandra Balchin attended an outreach meeting in Indonesia to discuss how advocates from around the world can contribute to building the movement further. MWNUK have volunteered (subject to securing funding) that they can act as co-ordinators between Muslim women's organisations that are based in Western countries as they have similar contexts.

Aug 2009

Musawah Understanding Islam Course - Malaysia (2009) 123

In August 2009, Faeeza Vaid attended a two week course in Malaysia on Understanding Islam from a Rights Perspective. This course was organised by Musawah (global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family) and was aimed at Muslim female leaders and activists critically involved in working on the rights of women for equality and justice at national, regional and international levels.  The course looked at understanding the dynamic interaction between the Quran and Shariah and the rights framework and to explore possibilities and strategies for reform within the Islamic framework.

Jul 2009

WISE Muslim Women Conference - Malaysia (2009) 123

WISE (Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality) held its second international conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from July 16 - 19, 2009.  Over 200 women from across the world participated in the conference entitled 'Muslim Women: Building Institutions, Creating Change.'  Faeeza Vaid represented MWNUK at the conference.

Feb 2009

Musawah Global Conference (2009) 123

From 13-17 February 2009, Musawah (movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family) held its first Global Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Approximately 250 activists, scholars, academics, legal practitioners and policy makers from some fifty countries attended the meeting. Cassandra Balchin (who was on the Musawah planning committee) and Shaista Gohir represented MWNUK.