[1][2][3][4][5][6] The trigger for the establishment of the network was independent events in various parts of the Muslim world, "in which so-called Islamic laws deprived women of their human rights".
Until Marieme Helie Lucas retired as international coordinator in the late 1990s, it remained a fluid organization without clearly defined staff positions.
It also facilitates communication between women's groups across Africa and Asia, sharing success stories and helping to coordinate international actions.
Collaboration with Women Living Under Muslim Laws was mentioned as a motive for the 2016 arrest of both Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Homa Hoodfar by Iranian authorities.
[15]: 99 Reviewer Pragna Patel, called the journal "invaluable",[15]: 97 because of the quality of information regarding human rights and recognition of the variances in women's experiences in different Muslim societies.