News Article 28

Muslim women's segregation in UK communities must end – Cameron

"More assertive" action is needed to tackle discrimination against Muslim women and their segregation in some UK communities, David Cameron has said.

A review will be conducted of Sharia councils operating in Britain and £20m spent on language classes for the 22% of Muslim women in England said to speak little or no English.

The prime minister said the moves could help combat radicalisation. But some Muslims have questioned the link between language and extremism.

Writing in the Times, Mr Cameron said the lack of integration within British society of some Muslim communities had helped to foster extremism and allow "appalling practices" such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

"Last week, I chaired a meeting of a group of brilliant Muslim women role models. And while I heard great examples of so many women who are flourishing in our country, some painted an alarming picture of forced gender segregation, discrimination and social isolation from mainstream British life," he said.

Mr Cameron said it was time to be "more assertive about our liberal values, more clear about the expectations we place on those who come to live here and build our country together and more creative and generous in the work we do to break down barriers".

"This is Britain. In this country, women and girls are free to choose how they live," he said.