Women's Awareness in Reproductive 'Aafiya (WARDA): Research Report

Background
Muslim women in Australia experience unique reproductive health challenges shaped by cultural, religious and social contexts, yet remain underrepresented in women's health research and resource development. The Women's Awareness in Reproductive 'Aafiya (WARDA) project was established to address gaps in culturally and faith-responsive reproductive health resources.

Methods
WARDA employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach that positioned Muslim women as partners throughout the research process. The project was overseen by an Advisory Group of Muslim women stakeholders. There were two phases, i) Codesign phase, ii) Delivery and evaluation phase. In codesign phase, data were collected through co-design workshops, surveys, interviews and iterative feedback processes through the Advisory group and content expert contributors. Findings informed the development, review, pilot testing and refinement of culturally and faith-responsive reproductive health resources. The delivery and evaluation phase involved delivering the contents to 490 women through workshops and evaluation through a 5-point likert scale survey measuring the usability, accessibility, recommendability, effectiveness, knowledge, confidence, empowerment. Open ended responses were also collected. WARDA is ethics approved through the Western Sydney University Human Research Ethics Committee H16274.

Results
The project identified strong demand for trusted, culturally safe and non-judgemental opportunities to discuss reproductive health. Participants preferred an all inclusive lifestage and lifecourse approach to reproductive health topics spanning menstruation, preconception health, pregnancy, birthing, postpartum health, sexual health, access to services, mental wellbeing and the spiritual dimensions of reproductive health. These findings informed the co-design of a suite of community resources in the form of four community workbooks: i. Rahmah Rythms (Reproductive system and menstruation), ii. Mwaddah Matters (Sexual health and contraception), iii. Barakah Beginnings (Preconception health and pregnancy), iv. Shifa Seasons (Birth, Post-partum health and beyond). During delivery and evaluation, 99.8% participants reported they would recommend WARDA to others, they also reported increased knowledge, confidence and willingness to engage in reproductive health discussions and access health information and services after WARDA. The project also strengthened partnerships between researchers, community organisations, health professionals and Muslim women.

Conclusion
WARDA demonstrates the value of community-led, culturally responsive and faith-informed approaches to women's health promotion. Beyond resource development, the project built community capability, strengthened partnerships and generated evidence-informed recommendations to support more inclusive, equitable and culturally responsive reproductive health policy, practice and research.