HEART Women & Girls builds the sexual health literacy of Muslim communities by offering sex education and anti-sexual Assault advocacy. As an organization led by Muslim women of diverse backgrounds and experiences, our commitment to reproductive justice is reflected in our core values, which are rooted in the acronym and Arabic word rahma (compassion). We create inclusive spaces for individuals and give them the resources they need to live out their values in the way they choose. Rights: Muslims have the right to accurate, culturally-sensitive sexual health information and victim-centric resources and services. Agency: Our programming offers participants with the space and affirmation to critically examine their personal values and faith, while equipping them with the resources and skills they need to strengthen their personal agency and feel in control of their bodies and spirituality. Healing: We are committed to building safe spaces that honor individuals’ faith and cultural values while replacing blame, shame, and stigma, with openness, support, and healing. Mindfulness: As trained professionals, we are mindful of the current cultural and political context and therefore center the lived experiences of Muslim Americans. Anonymity: Because issues around sex, sexuality, and sexual violence have historically been stigmatized, we make every effort to ensure participants’ anonymity and privacy while offering resources and information. As such, our ongoing programming can be summed up in our acronym, HEART: Health Education: As our largest programming arm, we provide comprehensive, culturally-sensitive sexual health and sexual violence information through interactive in-person and virtual programming to empower participants to make informed decisions and become agents of change within their communities. Goal: To increase the sexual health literacy and sexual assault awareness of Muslim communities. Advocacy: Our trained advocates offer survivors the information, support, and additional referrals they need to move toward healing and justice. We advocate for systems level change that dismantles the stigma and barriers preventing individuals from seeking sexual health and sexual violence resources. Goal: To center the lived experiences of our target community and ensure they have what they need to access services and information safely and anonymously. Research: We need data specific to each community of color to be able to develop effective, sustainable programming. Goal: To partner with academic institutions to better understand the sexual health concerns and burden of sexual violence in Muslim communities. Training: We offer leadership and capacity building trainings to equip both mainstream and religious communities to better serve the sexual and reproductive health needs of Muslim communities.
Please share any feedback you have about Foundation Directory Online. If you would like us to contact you for follow up, please include your name and e-mail address and we will be in touch.