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PROJECT: BEING A CANADIAN MUSLIM WOMAN IN THE 21st CENTURY

DURATION: April 2009 to March 2011

FUNDED BY: STATUS OF WOMEN CANADA

Project Goal:

1. To develop leadership among young Muslim women/girls and increase their capacity to benefit in the, social and democratic life as fully participating Canadians
2. To prevent discrimination/violence against young Muslim women/girls

Project Objective:

1. Increase the understanding on the part of the education system of the issues/challenges facing young Muslim girls/women (ages 14 – 18) and develop resources which can be used by educators
2. Empower young Muslim girls/women and their peers to understand and face these challenges. Provide young girls with the skills to act as leaders within their schools and their communities

BACKGROUND

Since September 11, 2001, the experiences of Muslims, specifically Muslim women, have changed dramatically. Unfortunately the changes have been to the worst, particularly as they relate to experiences of discrimination and lack of Muslim women’s socio-economic and civic engagement in Canadian society. During the past few years CCMW has undertaken several initiatives to understand and address these issues. We have conducted research into the issues, developed many tools and offered informational and educational workshops on a range of topics to Muslim women as well as to stakeholders that come into contact with them.

We have anecdotal evidence about the stress and conflicts facing young Muslim women such as racism/discrimination, clash of family and broader societal values, and the tensions in developing an identity inclusive of their multiple characteristics. Many are children of recent immigrants who are grappling with adaptation issues. such as the integration of culture and religion in their lives. Two recent incidents demonstrate the need for action to overcome the lack of understanding on the part of teachers and principals, as well as the urgent need to empower young women so that they can deal with the high anxiety families have for the daughters. First, the killing of Aqsa Parvez in Toronto allegedly by her father; second, the sexual abuse of a female Muslim student at the Toronto high school, C.W. Jefferys, which only came to light because of other problems at the school. As schools play a vital role in the young people’s lives, CCMW believes it is in these settings that the issues can be addressed. Furthermore, youth can be taught how to deal with the challenges by developing a strong sense of their identity with its myriad aspects.

PROJECT STRUCTURE & ACTIVITIES

The activities of the project can be broadly divided in two.

The first part involves working with 7 schools in Southern Ontario to develop leadership skills. Committees comprising of students will be set up in the identified schools, and will carry out activities aimed at raising awareness of the issues/challenges young Muslim women face in the education system.

The second part involves conducting a learning needs assessment and developing an educational resource kit, for educators. The kit will provide accurate, sympathetic and culturally appropriate information and will have an educator’s guide and other material about the context, diversity and realities of young Muslim women, including discrimination and marginalization.

Click to download Being A Canadian Muslim Woman in the 21st Century Educational Tool kit