BEHIND THE MWA
What makes this
peak organisation tick?

The United Muslim Women Association Inc., better known as MWA, was established in 1983 and is a peak community based organisation. Its main objective is to provide diverse programs to assist Muslim women of all ages to have equal access to services and to encourage their participation in Australia’s culturally diverse society.

MWA was the very first organization for women to be formed Australia wide and over the years has become a peak body representing the voice of Australian Muslim women on all levels: local, state, national, and international. The formation of similar organisations Australia wide is the result of years of dedication and commitment, encouraging Australian Muslim women to project their voice. This was as a result of the first National Muslim Women’s conference held in 1991.

One of the main aims of the organisation is to identify and respond to certain barriers that prevent Muslim women from actively participating in reaching their full potential. In achieving this objective, MWA has played a key role in identifying and developing strategies aimed at removing barriers that may exist in our society.

But MWA also has also helped people on a more personal level. As well as working with various government and community organisations, MWA is committed to helping young Muslim women understand their role in Australian society.

The relationship I have formed with MWA is a little more personal. As I type this article I am flooded with the many experiences and memories I have had in relation to the MWA. Through the various discussions that take place in its weekly meetings, I had the opportunity to become aware of my strengths, weaknesses, and realise my potential. The workshops that took place during its many camps offered me a chance to express my opinion and interact with others that have been exposed to similar situations and see the different ways Muslim Women have tackled the many misconceptions that surround them.

MWA provided me with an environment to not only think about the various issues associated with all kinds of barriers such as cultural, social, and educational, but to also develop strategies that help in overcoming these barriers on a personal level and on a much wider community level.

The drive behind MWA is made up of women who are persistent and committed to helping young Muslim women understand the importance of having their own identity. Bearing in mind that this drive lies in these great women striving in making other Muslim Women aware of their potential is no doubt inspirational in itself. The challenges of Australian Muslim women are many and varied. MWA helped me to see that the only way forward is to use these challenges as opportunities to build on existing achievements by working together for the common good of this great nation. One is inspired by the leadership that is practised in the organization itself and the way that the women lead by example, not only with words. And as many Australians believe, it is only through working together that we will be able to develop and strengthen our sense of Australian citizenship.

by Feda Abdo & Arwa Sultan