MWNUK was formally established as a group in 2003 with the support of the Women’s National Commission (WNC), to give independent advice to government on issues relating to Muslim women and public policy.

One of our first activities in collaboration with the Women's National Commission was to ask Muslim women about their needs.  This 'listening exercise' was published as the ‘She Who Disputes’ report  (http://www.iiav.nl/epublications/2006/shewhodisputes.pdf) which identified both the existing space favouring and unjust barriers against Muslim women's full participation in society.  This report remains the main inspiration for our work, in addition to our ongoing interaction with our members and women in the community. Our work is about changing the foundations of Muslim women's lives and not just improving services.

In 2007, Muslim Women’s Network decided to establish itself as an independent organisation to ensure its autonomy from Government. We renamed the group ‘Muslim Women’s Network UK’ (MWNUK) and became a Community Interest Company in 2008.