As part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Muslim Women Australia (MWA) has launched a pivotal new report, “Seeds of Resistance.” In this article, we explore the key findings of the report, which highlights the unique challenges faced by Muslim women in Australia and globally.
Introduction: Raising Awareness During the 16 Days of Activism
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an important global campaign that spans from November 25 to December 10, emphasising the need to end violence against women and girls throughout the world.
This annual observance serves as a powerful reminder of the work still needed to eradicate gender-based violence worldwide. Muslim Women Australia (MWA) has been a steadfast participant in these efforts, not only raising awareness but also directly addressing the unique challenges faced by Muslim women in Australia and beyond.
In 2024, MWA’s involvement in the 16 Days of Activism takes on even greater significance with the launch of its pivotal new report, “Seeds of Resistance”. This report delves into the multifaceted impacts of violence on Muslim women, exploring the intersections of micro and macro violence systems that affect their lives.
As MWA continues to advocate for the rights and dignity of Muslim women, this report marks a significant milestone in understanding and addressing the socio-political and cultural forces that contribute to both personal and collective suffering.
Micro & Macro Violence: Understanding the Layers of Harm
In addressing gender-based violence, it is crucial to distinguish between micro and macro violence systems, both of which profoundly affect Muslim women.
Micro-violence refers to the everyday forms of harm that individuals face in their personal and social environments, such as discrimination, harassment, and emotional abuse. These incidents, though often dismissed as “small” or “insignificant,” can have a cumulative and devastating effect on mental health and personal safety.
On the other hand, macro violence systems encompass the larger, structural forces at play. This includes state-sanctioned violence, institutional discrimination, and systemic racism that disproportionately affect marginalised communities. In the context of Muslim women, these forces are compounded by Islamophobia, policies of exclusion, and media portrayals that demonise Muslim identities.
Both types of violence, micro and macro, intersect to create an environment where Muslim women are silenced, oppressed, and denied the basic human rights afforded to others.
The “Seeds of Resistance” report highlights how these systems of harm are not isolated incidents but part of a larger societal framework that perpetuates violence on multiple levels.
Institutional Betrayal and Solidarity with Palestine
A key component of MWA’s 2024 report is the section addressing institutional betrayal—a powerful term that encapsulates the deep sense of abandonment and violation felt by Muslim women worldwide.
This betrayal is particularly felt by those who are caught in the crossfire of global geopolitical conflicts, such as the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
As the report points out, institutional betrayal occurs when institutions that are supposed to protect human rights, such as governments and international organisations, instead enable or ignore acts of violence.
In the case of Palestine, the complicity of global powers in the ongoing Israeli occupation and the genocide of Palestinians—particularly women and children—has been a glaring example of such betrayal.
MWA calls for solidarity with Palestinian women, who continue to resist oppression, displacement, and violence under the most dire conditions. As highlighted in MWA’s report, Palestinian women’s steadfastness, or Sumūd, is a form of resistance that has long served as a beacon of strength and resilience. For Muslim women worldwide, Palestinian suffering is a mirror of their own struggles, reinforcing the need for unity in the fight against all forms of violence.
The Role of MWA: Building Social Cohesion and Resistance
The launch of “Seeds of Resistance” coincides with the global call for social cohesion, particularly during the 16 Days of Activism.
However, the concept of social cohesion must be interrogated and redefined.
In its current form, weaponised social cohesion has been used as a tool of exclusion and control, particularly against marginalised communities like Muslims. For Muslim women, this often manifests as forced assimilation, the silencing of political dissent, and the erosion of their sense of belonging in their own societies.
Our report challenges the prevailing notion of social cohesion by offering a Muslim perspective that embraces solidarity, resistance, and dignity as core principles. This new approach to social cohesion does not require compliance with oppressive structures but rather advocates for a collective and inclusive definition that fosters belonging without sacrificing identity or values.
The Palestinian cause, and the ongoing violence against Palestinian women, serves as a key example of how solidarity and resistance can foster true social cohesion—one based on justice, not on forced unity.
Summary of the ‘Seeds of Resistance’ Report: A Call to Engage and Reflect
The “Seeds of Resistance” report is an invaluable resource that provides an in-depth examination of the social, political, and cultural forces that contribute to the ongoing violence against Muslim women in Australia and around the world.
The report draws on a combination of primary research, community testimonials, and expert analysis to offer a holistic understanding of how weaponised social cohesion and institutional betrayal manifest in the lived experiences of Muslim women.
Divided into several key sections, the report starts by explaining the complex dynamics of social cohesion, with a focus on how it has been used historically to undermine marginalised communities, particularly Muslims and Arabs. It also highlights the impact of anti-Muslim racism and gendered violence, discussing how these issues affect Muslim women’s mental health, safety, and sense of belonging.
The report also places significant emphasis on the solidarity of Muslim women, particularly in the context of Palestinian solidarity and Sumūd, offering a narrative of resistance and resilience. It addresses the intersection of micro and macro violence, showing how these forces work together to perpetuate oppression on both personal and societal levels.
What makes this report especially important is its call for community engagement. MWA encourages all readers—whether they are part of the Muslim community or allies—to not only read and reflect on the findings but to also act on them. The report serves as a call to action, urging people to engage in conversations about social cohesion that are inclusive, just, and rooted in solidarity. It invites individuals and organisations to share the report, participate in discussions, and support initiatives that protect and empower Muslim women.
By engaging with the report, MWA hopes to spark broader community conversations about justice, resistance, and solidarity. In this critical time, when global political dynamics are shifting, the insights provided in this report offer a pathway for collective healing and action.
Advancing Change Through Collective Action
The work of Muslim Women Australia, as illustrated through the launch of the “Seeds of Resistance” report, demonstrates the importance of creating spaces for Muslim women to speak out, resist violence, and reclaim their narrative.
As we reflect on the 16 Days of Activism, it is vital to remember that the fight against gender-based violence is not only a local or national issue but a global one.
By highlighting the interconnectedness of micro and macro systems of violence, and by explicitly addressing institutional betrayal in the context of the ongoing genocide in Palestine, MWA calls on all individuals and organisations to stand in solidarity with Muslim women, Palestinian women, and all those fighting for justice.
The power of solidarity lies in its ability to transcend borders and unite people in a shared struggle for dignity, safety, and equality. As MWA continues its advocacy and support for Muslim women in Australia, the launch of this report provides a critical platform for advancing change and building a more inclusive, just society for all.
A Call to Action
As we commemorate the 16 Days of Activism, we encourage you to engage with MWA’s report, share its findings, and become an ally in the fight against gender-based violence.
Stand in solidarity with Palestinian women, resist violence in all its forms, and advocate for the dignity and rights of Muslim women worldwide. Together, we can build a more just and cohesive world, but based on justice and dignity, not the marginalisation of resistance.
