Africa-Press – Uganda. Muslim women leaders in Uganda have called for urgent and coordinated action to end gender-based violence within their communities, warning that silence and the misuse of Islamic teachings have allowed abuse to fester behind closed doors.
The appeal was made during the inaugural Muslim Women’s Conference on Gender-Based Violence held in Budaka District under the theme “Upholding Justice & Dignity: Muslim Women’s Voices Against Gender-Based Violence.”
The event was organized by the Islamic Women’s Initiative for Justice and Peace (IWILAP) and brought together religious leaders, scholars, legal practitioners, and community activists.
Dr Ashah Mwanga Mastullah, executive director of IWILAP, said Islam has been wrongly cited to justify gendered violence, yet the faith itself promotes peace, equity, and protection for all.
“For too long, violence against Muslim women has been hidden behind walls of silence and religious misinterpretation,” Dr. Mastullah said.
“Islam does not in any way condone violence or justify the abuse of women. It is a religion of peace.”
She called on imams, local leaders, and government agencies to take an active role in confronting violence, not only by speaking out but by strengthening the legal protections for survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.
“We are calling upon all our community and religious leaders, plus government, to work with us to strengthen legal mechanisms to protect survivors and victims,” she added.
Sheikh Zubairi Kalibala, the Budaka District Qadhi, echoed the call for action and condemned the growing neglect and abuse occurring within Muslim households.
“Some men are abandoning their duties, including providing for their families. That is against the Quran,” he said.
“Do not be violent to your partner. That is the command of our faith.”
He encouraged families to invest in education, mutual respect, and the values embedded in Quranic teachings.
His message was clear: Muslim men must reclaim their roles not as enforcers, but as protectors, providers, and partners.
The conference, also themed “Her Voice, Her Rights,” is set to become an annual platform to raise awareness and advocate for change within Uganda’s Muslim communities.
Organisers hope to amplify women’s voices, dismantle harmful cultural norms, and offer faith-based arguments that align gender justice with Islamic principles.
Participants called for the integration of Shariah-compliant principles with national laws to ensure that Muslim women do not have to choose between their faith and their safety.
IWILAP pledged to continue building systems of accountability and legal empowerment rooted in both Islamic jurisprudence and the Ugandan Constitution.
The organisation said its long-term goal is to foster communities where justice, dignity, and peace are not ideals but lived realities for all women.
As gender-based violence remains a pervasive challenge across Uganda, the Muslim women’s conference in Budaka stands out as a bold and faith-led initiative seeking to reclaim religious narratives and transform community norms from within.
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