1-PREAMBLE:
Muslim women from 65 countries met in the International Muslim Women’s Forum in Khartoum from 31st July to 3rd August 1996 . They decided to organize themselves into what later known to be the International Muslim Women’s Union . This is meant to be a platform for muslim women through which they can express their vision and aspirations . A vision for sounder world order where poverty is eradicated , conflicts are resolved, peace justice and equity prevail .
2-OBJECTIVES:
1. Directing and guiding muslim women and through them all the women of the world to work together to achieve progress in all aspects of life , inspired by Islamic values and teachings .
2. Disseminating awareness of Islamic values and principles among muslim women , and guiding them to develop an Islamic identity.
3. Assisting women to overcome injustices and emancipating them from degrading and other practices incompatible with Islamic values and human dignity .
4. Strengthening the bonds of co-operation , benevolence and compassion among women worldwide .
5. Educatig Muslim women in the vein of women empowerment to achieve their rights and assume their Islamic role in the society .
6. Striving for the dominance of justice ,equality , upright conduct and rejection of all forms of discrimination and promotion of cultural and religious dialogues between nations .
7. Expressing muslim view –point in all issues of concern .
3- ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The organizational structure of the Union comprises the following:
I. The General Congress (GC)
It’s the supreme authority of the union and it convenes once every three years.
II. The Council of Trustees :
It consists of thirty members . Its main function is to make sure the policies and plans of the Union are carried out as approved by the General Congress and as such approves the general budget and provides the financial resources necessary for its implementation .
III. The General Secretariat :
The supreme executive authority of the Union chaired and supervised by the, Secretary General . It consists of 15 members who are Assistants Secretary General (ASGs)in the HQ and in the regional branches plus the deputy Secretary General .
IV. The Secretary General :
The chief executive of the Union
V. The Head -Quarters :
There are six Assistants for the Secretary General (ASGs), working in close co-ordination with the Secretary General as follows :
1.ASG for Resources and Development.
2.ASG for Coordination and External Affairs.
3.ASG for Research and Publication .
4.ASG for Information and Public Relations.
5.ASG for Projects and planning .
6.ASG for Administrative and Financial Affairs.
VI. Regional Branches :
There are seven branches which headed by ASGs as follows :
1. ASG for the Arab World Affairs.
2. ASG for the Asian Affairs.
3. ASG for the European Affairs.
4. ASG for the North American Affairs.
5. ASG for the South American Affairs.
6. ASG for the South Pacific Affairs.
7. ASG for the African Affairs .
VII. Advisory Bodies and Standing Committees :
The Secretary General appoints membership to such bodies which shall work under her direct supervision . These bodies assist the SG in performing the function of the Union ,each in its specific field .
MEMBERSHIP OF THE UNION
Membership of the union is open to every muslim woman or organization convinced and bound by the objectives of the union . Today there are 32 organizations from all over the world affiliated to the Union .
Achievements:
1.Establishment of Regional and country branches as well as country offices :
| A- Regional Branches : | |
| -Asia | |
| -Arab World | |
| -West Africa (sub –region Africa) | |
| -Scandinavia countries (sub-region Europe) | |
| -Trinidad and Tobago (South America) | |
| B- Country branches : | |
| -Niger | |
| -Borkina Faso | |
| -Indonesia | |
| -Pakistan | |
| C- Country offices : | |
| -Nigeria | |
| -Sudan | |
| -Albania | |
| -Yemen | |
| -Iran | |
| -Qatar | |
| -Germany |
2.The setting up of the International Council for Muslim Women Scholars with HQ in Sudan and branches in France ,Indonesia and Yemen .
3. Participation in the various regional and international conferences .
4.Holding up many seminars and training work shops to raise women awareness and to build up their capacities and skills .
5.Execution of a number of Da’wa and poverty eradication projects (e.g Food For All, Income –generating Projects ).
6.Full contribution in Social programmes such as Family support for those in dire need for help .
THE HEADQUARTERS:
The seat of the headquarters of
the Union is Khartoum, the capital city of the Republic of the Sudan .