Muslim women breaking barriers beyond traditional roles — FOMWAG President

The President of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Ghana, Safuratu Muhammed Andani, has highlighted a growing shift in Ghana’s socio-professional landscape, with Muslim women increasingly moving beyond traditional roles into fields such as science, engineering, and law.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (23 March), Andani—who is also a civil and environmental engineer—said the narrative around Muslim women in Ghana is evolving, as more women assert their presence in technical and decision-making spaces.

“We are seeing Muslim women move beyond the conventional roles of teaching and nursing into STEM and legal professions, where they are making significant contributions,” she noted.

According to her, this transformation reflects both increased access to education and deliberate advocacy efforts aimed at empowering women within Muslim communities.

As head of FOMWAG, Andani said her leadership is focused on bridging professional expertise with grassroots advocacy, ensuring that women are not only educated but also represented in national conversations that affect their lives.

She explained that the organisation works closely with legal practitioners, including senior state attorneys, to advance women’s rights and provide institutional support for Muslim women across the country.

“Our focus is to ensure that Muslim women’s voices are heard and their rights protected within the broader national framework,” she said.

Andani also addressed perceptions that Islamic values may conflict with modern development, arguing instead that the two can complement each other.

“The intersection between Islamic values and development is not a contradiction—it is an opportunity for collaboration,” she stated.

She emphasised that key national issues such as maternal health, community development, and policymaking require the active participation of women, both as professionals and as community leaders.

Under her leadership, FOMWAG continues to position itself as a platform for translating advocacy into practical outcomes, contributing to broader national development goals.

The discussion forms part of a wider national conversation on gender inclusion, as stakeholders increasingly call for greater representation of women in leadership, governance, and technical fields.