Muslim Women and Zakat: Empowerment Through Islamic Social Welfare and Finance

zakat, obligatory alms on wealth, is the third pillar of Islam. The relationship between gender and philanthropic behaviour is complex, influenced by several demographic factors that impact charitable giving (Mesch et al., 2016). The central research question of this study examines how contemporary Islamic governance networks can effectively utilize zakat – a traditional Islamic charitable institution – to improve the social, educational, and economic prospects of Muslim women. Specifically, this chapter aims to examine the development of zakat frameworks, focusing on systems in Indonesia and Turkey. This study is based on secondary data, including a literature review of zakat programmes in both countries, as well as policy and programme reports. Therefore, the research will compare Indonesia's democratized zakat structure with Turkey's more centralized approach, analysing how governance systems influence zakat's capacity to meet the needs of women. The study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on Islamic governance and public policy by examining how zakat funds can be effectively utilized to promote gender equality.