Budaka District, Uganda – Muslim and community leaders are being urged to speak out against gender-based violence (GBV) and promote justice and protection for women suffering in silence, particularly within Muslim communities.
This call was made during the first-ever Muslim Women’s Conference on Gender-Based Violence and Access to Justice, organized by Islamic Women’s Initiative for Justice, Law and Peace(IWILAP), under the theme “Upholding Justice & Dignity: Muslim Women’s Voices Against Gender-Based Violence.”
Dr. Ashah Mwanga Mastullah, Executive Director of IWILAP, emphasized that Islam is a religion of peace that categorically rejects the abuse of women. She called on religious leaders, duty bearers, and community leaders to amplify this message in mosques and public forums.
“For too long, violence against Muslim women has been hidden behind walls of silence and religious misinterpretations,” Dr. Mastullah stated. “We are breaking that silence today. Islam does not condone violence or justify the abuse of women in any form. It is a faith of peace, justice, and compassion.”
She highlighted the dangers posed by continued silence among victims and duty bearers, as well as the widespread misuse of religious texts to justify gender-based abuse. She called on the government and religious leaders to collaborate in strengthening legal mechanisms to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
“We cannot talk about peace in our communities while women in Muslim households continue to suffer,” she added.
Dr. Mastullah also explained that the conference theme was deeply rooted in Islamic values, including justice (al-‘adl), dignity (karāma), and compassion (raḥma), which are fundamental to the faith.
“This is more than a slogan. It is a reminder of our sacred duty in Islam to uphold what is right and condemn what is wrong. Gender-based violence is not just a social issue—it is a moral and spiritual violation,” she asserted.
Religious Leaders Join the Call for Change
Sheikh Zubairi Kalibala, the District Qadhi of Budaka, praised IWILAP for organizing the groundbreaking event and condemned the increasing incidents of GBV within the Muslim community. He criticized men who abandon their responsibilities and resort to violence.
“The Quran commands men to care for their families in peace and compassion. Running away from responsibilities such as providing education for your children is unacceptable,” he said.
Sheikh Kalibala also emphasized the importance of education for both boys and girls, encouraging families to work together to build strong, peaceful households grounded in Quranic teachings.
Looking Ahead: Annual Conference for Lasting Change
According to IWILAP, the conference—dubbed “Her Voice, Her Rights”—will become an annual event, each year focusing on a different theme. The goals include amplifying Muslim women’s voices, confronting harmful cultural practices through authentic Islamic knowledge, advocating for faith-sensitive legal aid and policy reforms, and building a future where no woman has to choose between her safety and her faith.
The initiative also calls for systems of accountability that are firmly grounded in both Shariah and the Ugandan Constitution.
