The National Federation of Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) on Saturday launched its month-long nationwide campaign, “Embracing Femininity,” in Bengaluru. The campaign, which will run from August 1 to August 31, aims to promote discussions on women’s identity, mental well-being, leadership and holistic development through programmes across India.
The campaign was formally inaugurated at the Indian Academy of Theological Studies (IAT) in Bengaluru following a press conference held in the city on August 1. According to the organisers, events will be conducted in GIO zones, districts, educational institutions and university campuses throughout the month.
Leaders Highlight Need for Balanced Understanding of Womanhood
The inaugural programme brought together women leaders, educators, students and community members. Speakers included Rahmathunnissa A., National Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), psychologist Zulekha Shakoor Rajani, author and researcher Sarah Mehmood, GIO President Adv. Sumaiya Roshan, Vice President Afeefa Tahniyath and Campaign Convener Ar. Sameen Momin.
As part of the event, the organisation honoured several “Women of Impact” for their contributions to society. The recognition was aimed at highlighting women whose service often goes unnoticed despite making a meaningful difference in their communities.
Speaking at the event, Adv. Sumaiya Roshan said the campaign seeks to encourage young women to move beyond both patriarchal restrictions and modern ideas that equate empowerment solely with constant productivity and emotional toughness.
“Both extremes are distortions. Embracing Femininity is our call to young women to step beyond both extremes and envision a ‘third space’ of balance, where meaningful differences between men and women are recognised without turning them into discrimination or inequality, where lived realities of women are acknowledged without undermining their capabilities and resilience,” she said.
Rahmathunnissa A. described the campaign as timely.
“This campaign is the need of the hour. People are very confused regarding the positioning of women in society, and we hope that this campaign brings revolutionary changes in society,” she said.
Campaign Convener Ar. Sameen Momin said the initiative addresses questions many young women face today.
“The questions we are asking—about burnout, identity, balance and wholeness—are questions many young women in India are living with today. We approach them from a place of faith and fitrah,” she said.
Campaign to Include Conferences, Counselling and Social Media Outreach
According to the organisers, the campaign is based on the Islamic concept of fitrah, or innate human nature, and aims to present femininity as a source of strength, compassion and leadership.
The campaign’s objectives include helping young women reconnect with their innate nature, affirming their strengths, encouraging critical engagement with both patriarchal traditions and Western liberal narratives, and creating support networks for emotional well-being.
Programmes planned during August include public conferences, panel discussions, seminars, campus events, art exhibitions, poetry competitions, counselling sessions, support circles and the felicitation of women making contributions in their communities. An international online conference is also scheduled for August 16.
A nationwide social media campaign using the hashtags #EmbracingFemininity and #ThatIsMyFemininity will accompany the offline events.
About GIO
The Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) describes itself as a national organisation working for the educational, social and leadership development of young women, particularly Muslim women. The National Federation of GIO serves as the apex coordinating body representing GIO units across the country.
The organisation said the campaign seeks to contribute to ongoing discussions on women’s identity and mental health by offering what it describes as a balanced perspective rooted in faith, while encouraging women to lead, nurture and contribute to society without compromising their individuality.
