Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality
About Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality
Based in New York, NY, the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) was founded in November 2006 when 150 leading Muslim women scholars, activists, artists, and religious and civil society leaders representing 25 countries gathered to develop a comprehensive vision for improving the status of Muslim women globally. This historic founding moment established WISE as a movement rooted in the belief that gender equality is an intrinsic part of Islamic faith and that the fight for Muslim women's equality begins with fostering, collaborating with, and supporting the diverse work of Muslim women leaders worldwide. WISE envisions a world in which Muslim women leaders are instrumental in creating a peaceful and prosperous world anchored in gender equality and human dignity. The organization operates through a change theory centered on four pillars: education to empower Muslim women through research and knowledge; collaboration to foster a culture of support among Muslim women; communication to serve as a clearinghouse on Muslim women's activism and legacy; and action to develop innovative approaches to end gender-based discrimination. Supported by family foundations and individual donors, WISE has hosted six global conferences, created 600 WISE women profiles, and established a network of Muslim women activists working across continents. The organization's commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and building bridges across communities reflects its core mission to elevate Muslim women and girls as leaders and change-makers in addressing the world's most pressing social challenges.