WLUML was formed in 1984 to respond to several cases in which women were being denied rights by reference to ‘Muslim’ laws:
Nine women—from Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Iran, Mauritius, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Pakistan—came together to form the Action Committee of Women Living Under Muslim laws, to support local women’s struggles. This evolved into the present network in 1986, which has grown and grown ever since.
For an in-depth piece on the origins of WLUML, please read 'Heart and Soul' [1] by founder, Marieme Helie-Lucas.
Links:
[1] http://www.wluml.org/sites/wluml.org/files/Heart%20and%20Soul_Marieme%20Helie-Lucas.pdf