Select Committee · Women and Equalities Committee

Gendered Islamophobia

Status: Closed Opened: 11 Dec 2024 Closed: 13 May 2026 19 recommendations 13 conclusions 1 report

This is a one off session examining issues around gendered Islamophobia. The session aims to understand the specific challenges facing Muslim women in the UK today. The session will examine the difficulties defining and agreeing on a definition of Islamophobia, the barriers women face reporting Islamophobia, and the ways gendered Islamophobia can be challenged.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
10th Report – Discrimination, harassment and abuse against … HC 571 30 Jan 2026 32 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

12 items
8 Conclusion 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Third-party reporting mechanisms for anti-Muslim hatred are vital and require inclusivity.

We welcome the Government’s introduction of a new fund to support a third-party reporting mechanism for victims of anti-Muslim hatred. Such mechanisms can play a vital role in enabling individuals to report hate crimes, particularly in cases where mistrust of the police or other frontline services may discourage direct reporting. … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government responds by outlining existing funding and support for the British Muslim Trust (BMT) to provide comprehensive services, including a helpline, to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims, affirming its commitment to community engagement.
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Government Equalities Office
9 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Mandate regional mayors to lead awareness and trust-building for anti-Muslim hate reporting services.

Given reforms to the provision of local services, including the proposed abolition of police and crime commissioners, we recommend regional mayors take a lead role in working with community organisations to raise awareness of the reporting service, to build trust in its effectiveness, to 50 ensure that the service reaches … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees Mayors are well placed to work with community organisations to raise awareness and will write to all UK Mayors encouraging them to promote the reporting service.
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Government Equalities Office
15 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Highlight achievements of Muslim women in key industries to foster role models and encourage employment.

Visible and relatable role models can be a valuable source of inspiration and provide demonstrable evidence that a career choice is accessible yet in many cases such role models are lacking for Muslim women. The Government and major employers should do more to highlight the 51 achievements of Muslim women … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government's Race Equality Unit will host a roundtable with MHCLG and major employers to shine a light on Muslim women inspiring meaningful change in a range of industries, driving up employment and representation.
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Government Equalities Office
19 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Review support for NHS Muslim staff to ensure protection and effective reporting of abuse.

In light of increases in anti-Muslim hate in society, the NHS should review the support available to its Muslim staff and ensure that staff feel protected and able to report abusive and discriminatory behaviours in the knowledge that the necessary action will be taken. (Recommendation, Paragraph 95) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that NHS already has policies and procedures to protect staff and that the NHS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Improvement Plan aims to ensure all staff feel safe to speak up and report abusive or discriminatory behaviours.
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Government Equalities Office
20 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Ensure refreshed Women's Health Strategy addresses poor outcomes for Muslim women's healthcare.

Tackling disparities in women’s healthcare is a key focus of the Women’s Health Strategy. The Government is due to refresh the strategy in the coming months. The Government should ensure that addressing poor outcomes faced by Muslim women, including in the provision of mental health support and pain relief for … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government will include addressing poor outcomes faced by Muslim women in the provision of mental health support and pain relief for women, is included in that work, in the renewed Women's Health Strategy.
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Government Equalities Office
22 Conclusion 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Government's hate crime action plan remains expired, missing strategic opportunity.

It is disappointing that the Government has not updated the hate crime action plan, which expired in 2020. The lack of an action plan is a missed opportunity to provide a coherent, cross-departmental strategy on tackling intersectional hate crime. (Conclusion, Paragraph 101) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government says it is currently prioritising the implementation of measures outlined in Protecting What Matters, as well as continuing existing programmes to address hate crime and religious hatred.
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Government Equalities Office
24 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Utilise Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to raise awareness of abuse against Muslim women.

The Government should use work around the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to raise awareness of the abuse of Muslim women in this country. It should complement an updated hate crime action plan. (Recommendation, Paragraph 103)

Government response AI summary
The government states it is already raising awareness of abuse through the Protecting What Matters plan, awareness-raising campaigns, the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, increased funding for safe accommodation and new measures to prevent and tackle ‘honour’-based abuse.
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Government Equalities Office
25 Conclusion 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Online platforms facilitate religious hatred with inadequate regulation and consequences.

At present people can stir up religious hatred online in the knowledge that their comments are unlikely to be removed and, except in the most extreme cases, are unlikely to face any consequences for their actions. While some individuals have been prosecuted for posting hate speech, the platforms that facilitate … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that the Online Safety Act (OSA) introduced measures on in-scope platforms to protect users from illegal content, and that traditional publishers are members of regulatory bodies enforcing codes of conduct.
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Government Equalities Office
27 Conclusion 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Ofcom's hateful content investigation scope is too narrow, lacking confidence in consequences.

We welcome Ofcom’s investigation into the adequacy of social media companies’ actions in the removal of hateful content and potential strengthening of the Code of Practice. This work is urgent, yet only one company will be investigated over the next four months and we lack confidence that there will be … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee, then describes the Online Safety Act and other existing measures aimed at regulating online content and ensuring accountability for platforms.
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Government Equalities Office
28 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Review Ofcom's resources and powers to effectively enforce the Online Safety Act.

In response to the increasing problem of online hate, the Government should review whether Ofcom has the resources and powers it needs to enforce the Online Safety Act effectively. (Recommendation, Paragraph 110)

Government response AI summary
The government states Ofcom's spending cap allows it to deliver its duties under the OSA, and that Ofcom has recruited an expert online safety team and has robust enforcement powers including the power to issue financial penalties.
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Government Equalities Office
31 Conclusion 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Community programmes significantly increase Muslim women's participation in social activity and support mental well-being.

Community programmes such as Muslim Girls Fence are an important means of increasing Muslim women and girls’ participation in social and physical activity and supporting mental health. They allow Muslim women to be their authentic selves without fear of judgement, censorship or harassment. (Conclusion, Paragraph 117) Read more

Government response AI summary
The Government recognises the importance of community-led initiatives and outlines existing programs like the Common Ground Resilience Fund and partnerships with organizations like the Muslim Sports Foundation and This Girl Can campaign to support Muslim women and girls' participation in social activity.
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Government Equalities Office
32 Recommendation 10th Report – Discrimination, harassmen… Accepted

Increase government support for grassroots initiatives enabling Muslim women's participation in social activity.

The Government should increase its support for community-led grassroots initiatives aimed at supporting Muslim women and girls to participate in social activity. (Recommendation, Paragraph 118) 54

Government response AI summary
The government says it already supports community-led initiatives through the Common Ground Resilience Fund (CGRF) and other programmes, including the Muslim Sports Foundation and This Girl Can campaign.
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Government Equalities Office

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
15 Jan 2025 Allia Fredericks · Muslim Girls Fence, Dr Irene Zempi · Nottingham Trent University, Raheel Mohammed · Maslaha, The Baroness Shaista Gohir · Muslim Women's Network UK View ↗

Who gave evidence

4 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Allia Fredericks · Senior Project Manager Muslim Girls Fence 1
Dr Irene Zempi · Associate Professor in Criminology Nottingham Trent University 1
Raheel Mohammed · Director Maslaha 1
The Baroness Shaista Gohir · CEO Muslim Women's Network UK 1