Zia Afsar, CCMW Founding Member

CCMW's mission of equity, equality and empowerment of Canadian Muslim women and girls aligns with Zia Afsar's personal commitment to gender equity and she joined CCMW in 1982.  In the early years, Zia was President of CCMW's Chapter in Swift Current & Regina, Saskatchewan and during this time she helped build bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim women’s groups.

She spearheaded the creation of  "Women United” an umbrella organization providing a forum for women’s issues at provincial, national and international levels. Women United held a large rally to raise awareness and condemn atrocities against women in the Bosnian war. The organization received recognition from Regina YWCA for their work on violence against women.

Since moving to Vancouver  some twenty years ago, Zia has been an active member of CCMW's Vancouver Chapter promoting the organization's mission, projects and initiatives in the "city of glass." In 2007, Zia was awarded CCMW's “Women Who Inspire” award for her commitment and work around gender equity. Zia envisions CCMW as a strong, one-of-a-kind Muslim women’s organization both locally and nationally.