The International Women's Movement 

and the Politics of Participation 

for Muslim Women 

Maliha Chishti 

Abstract 

This article explores the potential for Muslim women's politi­

cal engagement in the international women's movement. 

irrespective of the barriers that exist to deny and undermine the 

agency of Muslim women in the movement, this article calls for 

a more sustained involvement of Muslim women in global fem­

inist thought and praxis. By articulating a faith-centered 

approach to social justice, Muslim women have important con­

tributions to make in order to push forward a collective agenda 

against all forms of violence and oppressions affecting women, 

in both Muslim and non-Muslim societies. This article suggests 

that Muslim women implement a strategic-integrative approach 

to our involvement based on creating our own independent and 

integrated analyses and political frames, and engaging in soli­

darity and alliance-building with women across our diversity 

and difference based on mutually defined goals. 

Introduction 

Few social movements are comparable to the international women's 
movement in their ability to leave permanent imprints on the global politi­

cal structure. The movement has made staggering and unprecedented 
inroads in global governance and has carved a unique space often termed the 

new global feminist "public.'� The relatively recent mantra of "women's 
rights are human rights" has made many states nervous, as feminist advo-

Maliha Chishti is a doctoral student in the Department of Adult Education and Community 
Development at the Ontario l.nstitute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada.