The Muslim Women's Council of Victoria Inc. (previously known as the Islamic Girls & Women's Group Inc.) is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 1998. This is an organisation of Australian women working for Muslim women and the wider community. We work to overcome the challenges faced by Muslim women, living, working and integrating into the broader community in a way that honours their religious and cultural heritage. This also enriches the broader Australian community.
Read MoreOur purpose is to help improve the lives of not just Muslim women but members of marginalised communities including: new migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and international students. We do this through the provision of emergency food relief, education and social support.
Through our work we also aim to educate the wider community's understanding of Islam. We provide non-Muslims with opportunities to learn about the Muslim culture and participate in Muslim traditions. We work within a community development framework that fosters a connected, harmonious community, that values diversity.
The members of MWCV are responsible for implementing the mission statement and it is their role to build the membership of the organisation to a level where it is sustainable without external funding.
Integrating migrant Muslim Women into Australian Society
Muslim Women's Council operates according to the following mission statement, which will continue to be the guiding principles for its future work.
Our initiatives focus on empowering Muslim women by providing essential support services such as language education, food distribution, legal aid, community engagement, and health and wellness programs
Lack of language skills contributes to the isolation of migrant Muslim women. In addition to contributing to language skills, education in English will also contribute to breaking the isolation experienced by many Muslim women, refugees and asylum seekers in particular. MWCV's program would enable these women to have a reasonable command of the English language, which in turn will facilitate their general integration into the wider Australian community. It is also expected that confidence in English will empower them to take up professions or trades to utilise other existing knowledge and skills.
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Our emergency food relief program distributes food parcels to the homeless and people struggling to put food on the table. An average week sees us distribute 70-100 food parcels. This program is supported by donations from Second Bite, Foodbank and members of the community.
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The purpose of the legal service is to provide a non-threatening environment for Muslim women to seek advice on issues that are particular to their situation. With considerable anti-Muslim sentiments in the Australian society, Muslims have approached the MWCV to enquire about what action can be taken to prevent manifestation of those sentiments, such as discrimination and vilification. Another very sensitive area where the legal services would play an important role is in the family area, particularly relating to family violence. The legal service will also conduct education campaigns on citizenship and Australian law. The legal service will not deal with normal commercial legal issues. The legal service will be provided on a pro-bono basis, through referrals to lawyers who are prepared to operate on this basis. MWCV already has a list of lawyers prepared to do this. Referrals will be co-ordinated through the administrative staff.
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These bi-monthly events facilitate community conversations and improve the wider community's understanding of Islam. We create a welcoming atmosphere to share our culture and traditions with participants and encourage healthy debate and discussion on difficult topics.
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Many Muslims have grown up in countries where health education has not been a high priority. MWCV will therefore liaise with appropriate institutions to seek assistance with training in this area. The education will focus on general health issues for seniors, women, youth and children, including information on the Australian health care system, essential health checks, mental health & wellbeing, sexual & reproductive health as well as the importance of physical activity and the correct diet, child immunisation and preventable illnesses. Participation rates by Muslim women in physical activity and recreation are lower than the average rate. This is to a large extent due to cultural norms discouraging female sports participation, culturally inappropriate uniforms and lack of adequate facilities where Muslim women can participate. MWCV will design physical activity and recreation programs that would overcome these issues.
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community.
Explore various ways to contribute and be a part of positive change. Together, we can
create a
brighter future.
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