Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
10th Report – Discrimination, harassment and abuse against Muslim women
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 571
Published 30 January 2026
Recommendations
3
Acknowledged
Challenge inaccurate media representations and false online narratives of Muslim women robustly.
Recommendation
There needs to be a cultural shift in how Muslim women are portrayed in the media and online. Inaccurate representations and false media narratives should be challenged robustly, including by press regulators and Ofcom. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee regarding the importance of a vibrant and diverse media sector but does not commit to any specific actions by the government to challenge inaccurate representations.
Government Equalities Office
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4
Acknowledged
Encourage media organisations to include diverse Muslim women's voices and ensure off-screen diversity.
Recommendation
Media organisations should seek to include more Muslim women’s voices to provide diverse perspectives and to challenge the pervasive and harmful stereotypes that are damaging British values of tolerance and respect of those with different faiths and beliefs. Diversity off …
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Government Response Summary
The government expects the media sector to go further to ensure a diverse pool of talent both on and off-screen and to avoid the same people determining what stories get told and who tells them.
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6
Accepted in Part
Ensure police training on recognising and recording intersectional hate crimes against Muslim women.
Recommendation
The Government should take steps to ensure that police officers are appropriately trained on how to recognise, record, and respond effectively to hate crimes perpetrated against Muslim women. The Government should work with the police to ensure that both the …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees Mayors are well placed to work with community organisations and will write to all UK Mayors encouraging them to promote the BMT reporting service, but does not commit to further police training or CPS guidance as requested.
Government Equalities Office
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7
Not Addressed
Collect and publish intersectional data on victims of religiously and racially aggravated hate crimes.
Recommendation
The Government should collect and publish data on the religion, ethnicity and sex of victims of both religiously and racially aggravated hate crimes to help policymakers understand the extent of anti-Muslim hate crimes and the role gender plays in such …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of ensuring officers are appropriately trained to recognise, record and respond to hate crime, including offences affecting Muslim women and highlights the role of Mayors to raise awareness, but does not commit to data collection and publication.
Government Equalities Office
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9
Accepted
Mandate regional mayors to lead awareness and trust-building for anti-Muslim hate reporting services.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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11
Deferred
Implement Law Commission’s recommendations on improving hate crime legislation in the next parliamentary session.
Recommendation
The Government should implement the Law Commission’s recommendations on improving hate crime legislation in the next Session of this Parliament. (Recommendation, Paragraph 68) Discrimination in public life
Government Response Summary
The government is considering the Law Commission's recommendations, has taken some steps, and commissioned an independent review due to report by spring 2026, at which point the Home Secretary will consider the findings.
Government Equalities Office
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13
Deferred
Consider expanding section 14 of the Equality Act to protect more than two characteristics.
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s commitment to introducing section 14 of the Equality Act 2010 and the protection it will offer to groups with two protected characteristics. Given that Muslim women may be discriminated against on the basis of their sex, …
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Government Response Summary
The government defers to the Equality law call for evidence from April 2025, which sought evidence and views to identify barriers to opportunity and seek expert views on how to overcome these barriers, including on how to strengthen protections against dual discrimination, and will confirm next steps after considering the responses.
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14
Acknowledged
Encourage employers to utilise name-blind job applications to combat discrimination in recruitment.
Recommendation
To tackle discrimination at point of recruitment and progression, the Government should encourage employers to use name-blind job applications to allow candidates to be shortlisted on the basis of merit. (Recommendation, Paragraph 83)
Government Response Summary
The government will explore effective and proportionate ways to encourage employers to promote fairness and transparency throughout the recruitment process.
Government Equalities Office
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15
Accepted
Highlight achievements of Muslim women in key industries to foster role models and encourage employment.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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17
Deferred
Provide key statistics on income and employment by religious affiliation, gender, and ethnic group.
Recommendation
The Government should provide the key statistics on income and employment by religious affiliation and gender as well as by ethnic group in order that ongoing intersectional inequalities can be fully understood and addressed. This includes the statistics provided through …
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Government Response Summary
While acknowledging the importance of the issue, the government defers to census data and the ONS's work on the Future of Population and Migration statistics to better understand the feasibility of providing religion data between censuses.
Government Equalities Office
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19
Accepted
Review support for NHS Muslim staff to ensure protection and effective reporting of abuse.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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20
Accepted
Ensure refreshed Women's Health Strategy addresses poor outcomes for Muslim women's healthcare.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response 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.
Government Equalities Office
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21
Accepted in Part
Ensure NHS provides culturally competent therapy and fund tailored support for Muslim communities.
Recommendation
The Government should set out steps to ensure that the NHS can provide religiously and culturally competent, trauma-informed, and accessible therapy for those in need, including Muslim communities. 52 The Government should also fund local support services tailored to the …
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Government Response Summary
The government is transforming mental health services into community-based mental health centres. An example is the centre in Birmingham co-located with a local Mosque and working in partnership with the local Muslim community to provide wrap around, person-centred care.
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23
Not Addressed
Publish new hate crime action plan focused on tackling intersectional abuse of Muslim women.
Recommendation
The Government should publish a new hate crime action plan with a dedicated focus on tackling the intersectional abuse of Muslim women. This plan should include mechanisms on how to increase reporting and guidance on how public services should respond …
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Government Response Summary
The government refers to the recently published 'Protecting What Matters' plan, outlining its approach to social cohesion and hate crime prosecution, but does not commit to publishing a new hate crime action plan specifically focused on intersectional abuse of Muslim women.
Government Equalities Office
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24
Accepted
Utilise Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy to raise awareness of abuse against Muslim women.
Recommendation
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 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.
Government Equalities Office
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26
Not Addressed
Review Online Safety Act's fitness for purpose in tackling hateful online extremism.
Recommendation
The Government should review whether the existing legislative framework, including the Online Safety Act, is fit for purpose in tackling hateful extremism. The review should specifically consider whether further regulation is required to tackle the posting of and promotion of …
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Government Response Summary
The government response consists only of the words 'Government response: Police Training'.
Government Equalities Office
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28
Accepted
Review Ofcom's resources and powers to effectively enforce the Online Safety Act.
Recommendation
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 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.
Government Equalities Office
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30
Accepted in Part
Ensure schools implement clear policies and teacher training to tackle anti-Muslim hate.
Recommendation
The Government should ensure that schools have clear policies in place for tackling anti-Muslim hate. This needs to include specific training for teachers on the ways in which gendered Islamophobia manifests in society to ensure that teachers are equipped to …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges schools' duties under the Equality Act and safeguarding policies, and will convene a roundtable to address anti-Muslim hostility in schools; they will also procure and publish further resources on Educate Against Hate, but do not commit to requiring specific training for teachers.
Government Equalities Office
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32
Accepted
Increase government support for grassroots initiatives enabling Muslim women's participation in social activity.
Recommendation
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 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.
Government Equalities Office
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Conclusions (13)
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Muslims in the UK face increasing levels of online, verbal, and physical abuse and discrimination. Muslim women are disproportionately likely to face such abuse and experience it in ways that are specifically gendered and often linked to their race and/or ethnic identity, as well as their perceived inability to retaliate. …
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the Committee's inquiry and recognises the seriousness of anti-Muslim hatred directed at women and girls, stating they are determined to work across different sectors to tackle the issue.
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The role of the media and public figures should not be understated. Persistent stereotyping of Muslim women as oppressed, a symbol of extremism or just fundamentally ‘different’, has a normalising effect, increasing the risk of discrimination, harassment and abuse. It leads to false assumptions about aspirations and capabilities and prevents …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee regarding the importance of a vibrant and diverse media sector but does not commit to any specific actions by the government to challenge persistent stereotyping.
5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The significant underreporting of hate incidents against Muslim women is a concern, and a barrier to it being tackled. Reasons for underreporting are various but include a lack of awareness of and confidence in the process. It is essential that the Government has data that accurately reflects the true scale …
Government Response Summary
The government recognises the importance of ensuring officers are appropriately trained to recognise, record and respond to hate crime, including offences affecting Muslim women and highlights the role of Mayors to raise awareness, but doesn't specify action on data collection or intersectional needs.
8
Conclusion
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. …
10
Conclusion
Deferred
Implementing the recommendations set out in the Law Commission’s Hate Crime Laws: Final Report could improve the ability of the police and Crown Prosecution Service to tackle hate crime, including intersectional hate crime. Such reforms would also signal support to communities affected by intersectional hate crime and encourage broader initiatives …
Government Response Summary
The government is considering the Law Commission's recommendations, has taken some steps, and commissioned an independent review due to report by spring 2026, at which point the Home Secretary will consider the findings.
12
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Muslim women face barriers in accessing employment, recruitment and career progression and face microaggressions and discrimination in the workplace. While it would be wrong to suggest that discrimination is the sole explanation, its prevalence needs to be addressed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges that Muslim women face barriers in accessing employment and recognizes the importance of protecting against discrimination.
16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
There remains a lack of up-to-date data on income and employment related to Muslims and other religious groups. Current data based on ethnicity only offers a partial insight into current trends. It is disappointing that this data gap has not been addressed since our predecessor’s report in 2016, which highlighted …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the lack of up-to-date data, states the Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects relevant information, but sample sizes are limited. They also highlight the census data and ONS research into under-represented groups.
18
Conclusion
Deferred
It is deeply saddening that Muslim women working in frontline services such as healthcare settings are having to endure anti-Muslim abuse while performing their duties in helping others. Reports of a lack of support from colleagues and employers are also troubling. Anti-Muslim discrimination, harassment and abuse can have lasting mental …
Government Response Summary
The government states NHS organisations have a duty to protect staff, and plan to introduce new standards for modern employment in April 2026 which are likely to focus on improving staff health and wellbeing, violence, racism and sexual harassment.
22
Conclusion
Accepted
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)
Government Response 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.
25
Conclusion
Accepted
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 …
Government Response 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.
27
Conclusion
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 …
29
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Schools have a vital role in tackling anti-Muslim abuse. First, through education on Muslim culture and heritage and the positive role Muslim communities have played in shaping the multicultural Britain that exists today, and providing challenge to distorted narratives of Muslimness portrayed on social media, and in parts of mainstream …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges schools' duties under the Equality Act and safeguarding policies, and will convene a roundtable to address anti-Muslim hostility in schools and publish resources, but doesn't commit to specific actions addressing the issues raised.
31
Conclusion
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)