The need for women’s leadership

Time and again, men have been called upon to facilitate women’s functions—a clear indication that competent female leaders who can confidently articulate women’s issues remain scarce. This gap stems from a historical lack of structured training and mentorship for women in leadership roles.

To address this challenge, the Women Affairs League (WAL) was established with a clear mission: to cultivate capable, resourceful women who can effectively manage female-centered initiatives.

Following the 6th Delegates’ Conference, consultations were held on how to strengthen the sisters’ wing of the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA). It was noted that while many university MSAs had a “chairlady,” the role was often symbolic—lacking real executive power or defined responsibilities.

Rather than maintaining a redundant position, a middle-ground solution was proposed: transforming the “chairlady” into a fully empowered leadership role with a clear mandate. This led to the conceptualization of WAL—a structured women’s wing with distinct membership, leadership, and activities tailored to female Muslim students.

The Women Affairs League (WAL) was first launched at the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) on May 20, 2012, and quickly gained traction across other universities. A constitution was drafted to formalize its operations, ensuring sustainability and clarity of purpose.

The league was founded to:

By creating an organized, independent body, WAL ensures that women’s voices are not just heard—but actively shape decisions affecting their lives.