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.
Government Equalities Office
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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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Conclusions (6)
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.
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.
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.