A report undertaken by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has found that Muslim women, particularly those who wear the hijab, are finding it difficult to find work due to stereotypes in the workplace.

Engaging with Muslim Women also found that ethnic minority communities overall have a lower employment rate than the rest of the population with Bangladeshi and Pakistani women suffering the worst with the rates hovering around 24 per cent.

The report was undertaken after a meeting on 10 May 2006 at 10 Downing St between Prime Minister Tony Blair and 40 Muslim women from across the UK. The women were able to talk to the Prime Minister about the issues affecting themselves, their families and their communities.

Muslim women across the country also expressed their desire to want to play a stronger and more active role in their Mosques and communities as a whole. Many feel that they are routinely excluded from Mosques and community leadership. [Link]