The Muslim Advisory Council of Canada (MACC) in partnership with the Centre for Community-Based Research (CCBR), in partnership are embarking on a 30-month community-based research project to tackle gender-based violence (GBV) and promote positive social change within the Muslim community. This initiative was particularly motivated by a tragic domestic violence incident in Milton, Ontario, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Supported by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), this project recognizes the myriad barriers that Muslim women face when seeking GBV-related services. Although Muslims account for 10% of Halton Region's population and are among the fastest-growing minority groups in Canada, making up 4.9% of the national population, the unique challenges they encounter in the context of GBV remain underexplored. These barriers include cultural stigma, religious and community expectations, distrust in formal services, language obstacles, financial dependence, intersectional discrimination, and concerns related to immigration status.

The primary goal of this project is to create a cohesive strategy for addressing GBV within the Muslim community. The project aimed to ensure that the experiences of Muslim women were considered in the development and implementation of Canada's National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Additionally, the findings sought to provide actionable recommendations and tools for the Canadian Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. The research also aimed to guide Halton-based service providers in better serving Muslim women and to develop cultural competency training for frontline workers.

Research questions:  

1. What are the intersectional barriers that Muslim women in Halton and across Canada face in disclosing GBV and accessing services, resources, and help?  

2. What are some best practices and culturally sensitive help-seeking solutions that can improve the experiences of Muslim women experiencing GBV?   

3. What are some culturally informed practices/interventions that we can model and learn from that can be adapted to the Muslim community?  

4. How can we build and evaluate effective practices/interventions for the Muslim community that enriches the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence all while combatting islamophobia?

Research Approach and Methodology:

The project employed a community-based research approach, characterized by its community-driven, participatory, and action-oriented nature. A steering committee was formed to guide the project's design, implementation, and overall direction.

The project unfolds in three main phases:

Phase One (Months 0-12): Assessment of community needs through a comprehensive literature review of international and national best practices in research, policy, and practice. This phase was complemented by focus groups, surveys, and community forums to engage stakeholders and identify knowledge gaps.

Phase Two (Months 12-24): Evaluation of promising interventions identified in the first phase by examining 3-4 cases of culturally informed practices that could address the identified barriers within the Muslim community.

Phase Three (Months 18-30): Knowledge sharing and community capacity building through the development and dissemination of knowledge products and training tools. This phase included sharing needs assessment summaries and case evaluation summaries with the Muslim community and other stakeholders, such as service providers and policymakers.

Methodologically, the project utilizes a participatory and mixed-method approach, ensuring active engagement of community members and stakeholders throughout the research process. By centering the voices of Muslim communities, service providers, and individuals with lived experiences, the project identified culturally informed solutions and proposed strategies for building effective GBV interventions tailored to the needs of Muslim women.