What is the Gender Desk about?

A sub-committee of the MYM

Recognising that gender oppression is pervasive in our communities, the MYM, in its effort to establish a just social order based on the Divine Will, established the Gender Desk. The Gender Desk is a special commission of the MYM that focuses on gender issues.

Mission of the Gender Desk

Committed to the Islamic values of justice, freedom and equality, the MYM Gender Desk focuses on gender issues in order to transform society and affirm people's humanity through education, campaigns and the empowerment of women.

Structures

The Gender Desk functions in eight regions headed by a National Co-ordinator.

The eight regions are: Gauteng, Northern Province, North West Province, Southern Free State, Northern Free State, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal.

Locals of the MYM also have Gender Desk co-ordinators.

The co-ordinators are all women and are full members of the local, regional and national executives of the organisation.

  What does the Gender Desk do?

Mobilise and Organise

Recognising that women are not as active in the organisation and society as is desired, we recruit women members to the MYM and ensure that they are active members participating at all levels of the organisation. The Gender Desk also mobilises community support for its campaigns.

Let the women be heard!

Women have not had much of a say in the interpretation of Islam, and their voices have been suppressed in mosques and other institutions. There therefore exists a "voicelessness" of women in Islam. We work towards ensuring that the woman's voice is heard.

Equal access for women

Recognising that Muslim women have been excluded from the public domain, we campaign for women's access to Muslim institutions, committees and organisations. We have embarked on a campaign to reclaim access to the mosques and ensure that women are represented on committees and boards set up to manage Muslim affairs.

  Campaigns...

A Just Muslim Personal Law

Recognising that unjust practices have crept into MPL and that there is a need to consult and inform the community about something that affects them so intimately, we campaign for the implementation of a just MPL in South Africa by challenging un-Islamic MPL practices, participating on the MPL Board, pressurising for a just MPL and consulting with other women. The MYM also informs the public about the process and developments on the incorporation of MPL into the South African judicial system though the media.

Education Campaign

Workshops and seminars - the Gender Desk organises public workshops and seminars on gender and Islam.

Provide Information - we provide information and literature on gender and Islam as alternatives to sexist information.

Challenge sexism - we challenge unjust sexist attitudes and behaviour and promote the gender sensitive spirit of Islam.

Media - use the media, Muslim and other, to promote our positions and policies and to counter the misrepresentation of Islam's position on women, and the attack on Islam using this issue.

  More Campaigns...

Research

The Gender Desk has prepared questionnaires to gather information on gender perception and relationships amongst Muslims in South Africa.

Develop Women Scholars

Recognising that there is a lack of women scholars sensitive to gender and other issues, we believe that there is an urgent need for women to study Islam in local and international institutions. We encourage particularly young women to take up such opportunities.

Networking

The Gender Desk networks with local and international Muslim and other organisations that share its agenda.

Women Unite!

We support the idea of a national federation of Muslim women in South Africa. Such a federation will represent the voice of all Muslim women and empower women.

  Get Involved! Interested in working with the Gender Desk? Contact: Gender Desk - Head Office Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa PO Box 42608, Fordsburg, 2033, South Africa.