AEN Aawaaz-e-Niswaan

AEN Aawaaz-e-Niswaan An organizations that wants to redress the injustices perpetrated against women . It is a a powerful coalition to fight the discrimination against women.

Our History

1985 – Shehnaaz, the founder member of Aawaaz-e-Niswaan during one of her court hearings against the unilateral talaq given to her met more women who like her who had been unilaterally divorced or were in some way affected by the patriarchal Muslim Personal Law. These chance meetings gave rise to discussions on the gender inequality in Muslim personal law and she filed a petition in c

ourt against it. The women decided to meet every Wednesday at each others house to guide women in circumstances like themselves and named this collective Aawaaz-e-Niswaan.

1988 - Marks a cultural period of the organization when songs and skits were written, most notably the song Mein Achi hoon ghabrao nako is written by Geeta Mahajan and Shehnaaz Sheikh. This song captured the essence of the daily lives of Muslim women in the ghettos of Bhendi Bazaar whose husbands worked in the Gulf and controlled them through a network of relatives and friends (Click here to read lyrics)

1990 - Ruhi Nasreen and Wahida Kondkari were killed by their in-laws for dowry and for the first time thousands of Muslim women came out in public against dowry murders. . The rally covered Muslim dominated areas such as Nagpada and Bhendi Bazaar and ended at Churchgate. (scanned photo)

1992- The efforts of our activism on the rights of Muslim women received a setback due to the riots following the demolition of Babri Masjid as women were seen as the primary bearers of the community identity. Almost immediately, women were pushed back into homes, the purdah became a common sight on the streets of Bhendi Bazaar, Mohmadali road and similar muslim dominated areas. In this volatile and dangerous situation members of AeN worked in relief camps and continued to try and bring some relief to women and men.

1997- With the growth of our work, a need to have a stable office space was felt and friends and members donated generously towards renting a space for Aawaaz-e-Niswaan. The growth of our work also made us realize the need for formal funding and after 12 years of its existence, Aawaaz-e-Niswaan was registered as an NGO under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

1999 – A conference on Muslim Personal Law and Women was organized to debate on the rights of Muslim women with a feminist perspective. The conference was attended by nearly 250 women. This conference gave birth to the Muslim Women’s Rights Network which went on to draft the progressive Nikahnama (Nikahnama hyperlinked) and a petition on Gender Just Laws for women.

2002 – marked a dark period in the history of the country where the Gujarat State machinery was involved in mass violence on Muslims. Unlike our earlier intervention in times of communal violence post the Babri Masjid demolition, we focused our energies not just on channelizing relief but also worked with other feminist organizations towards an International Initiative for Justice which brought together feminists from nine countries who had experience of working on issues of mass crimes and genocide. The aim of this initiative was to visibilize and speak about the sexual assaults on women during the massacre in Gujarat. (Click her for the report)

2003 – Aawaaz-e-Niswaan started a resource centre for women and girls in Mumbra a ghetto of muslims displaced by the ’84 Bhiwandi and ’92-’93 post Babri Masjid demolition riots. The centre boasts of a membership of 100 girls who otherwise have no access to progressive spaces. The centre has a library with nearly 5000 books, mostly Urdu literature and conducts a number of innovative courses for the girls to build their confidence and personality. The centre also offers scholarships to girls who would otherwise be unable to complete their education. The literacy course run at the centre has enabled a number of girls and women to re enter mainstream education.

28/02/2026
Today, Aawaaz-e-Niswaan celebrated the birth anniversaries of Savitribai Phule and Fatima Shaikh with women and girls in...
09/01/2026

Today, Aawaaz-e-Niswaan celebrated the birth anniversaries of Savitribai Phule and Fatima Shaikh with women and girls in Kurla. Around 60 women and girls came together to remember these pioneers not merely as historical figures, but as living inspirations for our everyday struggles. The space was filled with warmth, curiosity, and a shared sense of pride. We were joined by fellow activist , who staged a powerful play on the life and work of Savitribai Phule. Her performance deeply resonated with the women present, bringing Savitribai’s courage, resistance, and commitment to education vividly to life. The celebration was led by senior community members, grounding the gathering in shared leadership and collective strength. As the story unfolded, there was a quiet yet profound recognition among the women that the fight for education, dignity, and the right to defy injustice remains hard-won, even today. Struggle songs filled the space with memory and resistance, connecting past struggles to present realities. We ended the gathering by sharing snacks and tea a simple moment of togetherness that reminded us why community, solidarity, and collective care remain at the heart of our work.
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During the 16 Days of Activism, 115 young women and adolescent girls came together for a dynamic consultation on justice...
11/12/2025

During the 16 Days of Activism, 115 young women and adolescent girls came together for a dynamic consultation on justice, rights, and mobility led by and

Girls from 14 community groups spoke openly about what holds them back: family pressures, everyday gender bias, unsafe transport, hostile public spaces, and the growing dangers of the digital world. But they didn’t stop at naming the problems they collectively shaped recommendations that will travel all the way to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 2026. These young leaders are rewriting the narrative.

They’re demanding safety, equality, and freedom and they’re ensuring their voices echo far beyond their communities.
We are proud to stand with them in the fight to end gender-based violence.

Aawaaz-e-Niswaan organized its Iftaar gathering with the support of the girls and women from the organization. Each part...
26/03/2025

Aawaaz-e-Niswaan organized its Iftaar gathering with the support of the girls and women from the organization. Each participant contributed by bringing food, providing a strong sense of solidarity and mutual support. The program aimed to create an environment of sharing and caring, which helped to strengthen the bonds within the organization. This initiative helped build deeper connections and reinforced a culture of unity and cooperation in the community.

The women from our Aawaaz-e-Niswaan community recently visited the Kurla Police Station as part of an exposure visit und...
28/01/2025

The women from our Aawaaz-e-Niswaan community recently visited the Kurla Police Station as part of an exposure visit under the Para Legal training program. The goal was to better understand the workings of the police station and familiarize themselves with the laws that protect and empower women. Both the officers, including PSI Pathan Madam, were very welcoming and shared valuable information about laws concerning women and children. To make the visit even more pleasant, the police graciously offered tea and refreshments for all women.

The Parvaaz Annual Program was a vibrant and empowering celebration that united girls and women to showcase their divers...
25/12/2024

The Parvaaz Annual Program was a vibrant and empowering celebration that united girls and women to showcase their diverse talents in an atmosphere filled with creativity and enthusiasm. The event featured a variety of performances, including songs, poetry, shayari, bait baazi, plays, and dance, with a notable street play by MAVA Mumbai volunteers addressing human rights issues. Distinguished guests, Trupti, Mujtaba, and Saher, attended the occasion, adding to its prestige. A highlight of the program was the release of Sheema’s book Rushda-e-kamil of shayari and poems, while Faiza and Sheema were honored for their recognition at the Literature Live! – The Mumbai LitFest at NCPA. The event brought together mothers, women, social activists, and representatives from various organizations.

Aawaaz-e-Niswaan organized a legal training session for community activists involved in counseling work in their areas a...
12/11/2024

Aawaaz-e-Niswaan organized a legal training session for community activists involved in counseling work in their areas and organizations, focusing on the recent changes in criminal laws, specifically the CRPC and IPC. Around 35-40 activists from organizations Alert India, Americares India Foundation, Coro, Dilaasa, Perfect Help, Sneha, Swavalamban Samaj Vikas Sanstha, YUVA, and others attended the training. Advocate Persis Sidhva of Rati Foundation conducted the session, which was well received by the participants. However, many concerns were raised about the changes, with participants expressing that some of them may not be beneficial for the people.

AAJ SUNI APNE DIL KI DHADKANIn collaboration with , led by Fearless ambassador .nur, we created this mural in Bombay. Th...
12/11/2024

AAJ SUNI APNE DIL KI DHADKAN
In collaboration with , led by Fearless ambassador .nur, we created this mural in Bombay. The women of the community were actively involved in every step of the process from thought-provoking discussions to workshops and interactions to bring this mural to life. This mural is a reflection of our collective power a reminder that protection, strength, and the right to our dreams are ours to claim.

To truly protect ourselves, we must first understand what we need, what we fear, and recognize that those we rely on can sometimes cause harm. Protection begins with self-awareness — knowing our strengths and defining our own sense of safety. We are our own first protectors. With this in mind, we passed a mirror around the group, inviting everyone to see themselves as the face of their own protection. Not through youth or beauty, but through strength — to recognize and claim their own power and resilience. Three generations unite, blending softness and strength, reclaiming space, and seeking what was once denied. In the mural, large women painted in vibrant reds and gold gaze ahead, unshakable.
AAJ SUNI APNE DIL KI DHADKAN
In collaboration with , led by Fearless ambassador .nur, we created this mural in Bombay. The women of the community were actively involved in every step of the process from thought-provoking discussions to workshops and interactions to bring this mural to life. This mural is a reflection of our collective power a reminder that protection, strength, and the right to our dreams are ours to claim.

To truly protect ourselves, we must first understand what we need, what we fear, and recognize that those we rely on can sometimes cause harm. Protection begins with self-awareness — knowing our strengths and defining our own sense of safety. We are our own first protectors. With this in mind, we passed a mirror around the group, inviting everyone to see themselves as the face of their own protection. Not through youth or beauty, but through strength — to recognize and claim their own power and resilience. Three generations unite, blending softness and strength, reclaiming space, and seeking what was once denied. In the mural, large women painted in vibrant reds and gold gaze ahead, unshakable.

Address

Mumbai
400070

Telephone

+912226523402

Website

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