Integrating Gender Sensitivity into Faith-Based Humanitarianism

Abstract

In recent decades, gender mainstreaming has become a prevalent practice in international organizations to promote social justice. However, little is known about gender integration efforts in Muslim humanitarian faith-based organizations (FBOs). Drawing on the intersection of gender and faith humanitarianism, an insider’s professional experience, and a review of key academic and gray literature, I critically reflect on the gender integration process for one of the world’s largest UK-based Muslim humanitarian agencies - Islamic Relief Worldwide. I explore a dual pragmatic and value-based case for gender integration, including the development of a faith-informed gender policy, and its practical application. This case study suggests that humanitarian FBOs are arguably well positioned in local communities to address gender inequalities by leveraging their shared faith values and contextual understanding while building multi-stakeholder consensus. However, they navigate significant challenges due to their geographical breadth, cross-cultural, and religious diversity, strategically selecting the gender issues they address. The allocation of adequate resources in a gender-sensitive manner, beyond a women-centred approach, to transform gender relations, remains a key barrier to advancing organizational commitments to gender justice.