Widely recognised as a founding member of the Sisters in Islam (SIS), Zainah Anwar has for two decades advocated for Muslim women’s rights in terms of justice, equality and freedom. A former journalist who also holds a law degree from Tufts University, she has previously worked at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies think tank, and was chief programme officer with the political affairs division of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

In 1990, Zainah co-founded SIS to challenge Islamic laws and policies created to discriminate against Muslim women and throughout the years. Taking on a wide range of issues, from Islamic Family Law and domestic violence to freedom of expression, modesty and polygamy, she led change through research, advocacy, legal amendments and education.

Zainah is currently the Director of Musawah, a global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family. In 2018, she was among 25 women featured in the annual Harvard Law International Women’s Day Portrait Exhibit, as nominated by the students, faculty and staff of Harvard Law School in recognition of her contributions to policy and law.

The following year, Zainahwas recognised with an award from the United Nations for more than three decades’ fighting for women’s rights in Islam and for empowering women.