Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality

The Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) is a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Muslim women's leadership and rights globally. Since 2006, WISE has convened hundreds of Muslim women leaders from around the world to build their capacity as advocates and educators, equipping them with comprehensive knowledge of Muslim women's rights and enabling them to drive meaningful change in their communities. Operating as an independent 501(c)(3) organization and partner project of the Fund for the City of New York, WISE delivers innovative programs addressing critical issues including domestic violence awareness, female genital cutting prevention, reproductive rights, religious leadership development, and civil and political participation. The organization has trained over 6,000 imams, produced 15,000 educational booklets on domestic violence awareness, and engaged 300 participants in female genital mutilation avoidance programs across 25 countries. WISE functions as an authoritative source on Muslim women's activism and heritage, publishing research papers on pressing societal issues and offering culturally sensitive solutions to persistent gender-based discrimination. The organization amplifies women's voices across political, economic, religious, and social discourse, promoting Muslim women leaders who advocate for women's rights, religious pluralism, and peacebuilding. Through education, collaboration, communication, and direct action, WISE works to create lasting systemic change. The organization's work has been recognized by major media outlets including CNN, BBC, MSNBC, The New York Times, and Time Magazine, and the Clinton Global Initiative awarded WISE's Imam Training Program in Afghanistan its Commitment to Action award.