WAKISO District- In a move to support Muslim women affected by gender-based violence (GBV), the Islamic Women’s Initiative for Justice, Law, and Peace (IWILAP) has officially launched the “NISA Healing Circle”, a dedicated psychosocial and legal support centre located in Mulawa, Kira Municipality.
The facility aims to provide a lifeline to GBV survivors through a holistic approach that includes counseling, legal aid, emergency shelter, and spiritual and emotional support.
The launch comes amidst rising concerns over GBV cases in Uganda’s Muslim communities, with many victims suffering in silence due to fear, stigma, or lack of knowledge on where to seek help.
The NISA Healing Circle is designed to address these gaps and encourage survivors to seek justice and healing.
“Many victims of sexual and gender-based violence are helpless and ignorant about what to do. Through the NISA Healing Circle, we are creating a peaceful space to resolve these concerns, address trauma, and restore hope,” said Dr. Mwanga Mastullah Ashah, IWILAP’s Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel.
She emphasized that the Centre will provide professional psychosocial support from a trained team of therapists and counselors.
Asiat Nakawunde, the facility’s lead therapist, highlighted the critical need for mental health services among the GBV victims.
“Violence affects how someone thinks, acts, and even how they see their future. Our approach is to listen with empathy and professionalism, offer appropriate counseling, and when necessary, refer medical cases to nearby health facilities.” she said.
She added thag victims can also access immediate assistance through the Centre’s toll-free hotline: 0393-4413, ensuring that support remains accessible to those in urgent need.
In addition to counseling, the NISA Healing Circle will offer legal aid to help victims report abuse and pursue justice. “IWILAP, a registered legal aid provider, will guide survivors through the legal process and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. We aim to end the cycle of violence in Muslim families,” explained Yasimin Kiriswa, Legal Officer at IWILAP.
“When victims reach out to us, we’ll listen, investigate, and take immediate steps to report any criminality to the police.” she noted.
To further amplify the voices of Muslim women, IWILAP also launched a podcast titled “NISA Voices”. The podcast will feature survivor stories, expert advice, and discussions on legal, faith-based, and societal issues affecting Muslim women in Uganda.
“Too many Muslim women suffer in silence. ‘NISA Voices’ will give them a platform to speak out and break the culture of silence,” said Hauler Nalubega, Legal Officer and podcast lead, adding that It’s time they amplify their voices to drive meaningful change.
The establishment of the Healing Circle is part of IWILAP’s broader vision to build a survivor-centered ecosystem. This includes:
- Therapy rooms for individual and group counseling
- Creative therapy zones involving art, music, and storytelling
- Spiritual reflection spaces for guided healing
- Virtual healing sessions held every other Sunday for remote survivors
- A foundation for a future one-stop skilling center to empower survivors economically.
Through these initiatives, IWILAP aims not only to provide immediate support but also long term empowerment and resilience for GBV survivors.
Founded in 2013, IWILAP is Uganda’s first and oldest Muslim women-led organization advocating for human rights, gender equity, and reproductive health from a culturally and religiously grounded perspective.
