Muslim Women Advise on Extremism

January 23, 2008

Author: Dominic Casciani

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7203925.stm

Leading Muslim women are being brought together to advise ministers in a new tactic to root out extremism.

The Muslim Women's Advisory Group is to be launched after the government came under pressure to help women in the Muslim community gain a greater say.

The group of 19 women assembled by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is to work as part of a grassroots counter-terrorism strategy.

But some warn they face a tough time winning community trust.

Statistics and research show that Muslim women tend to be more marginalised than men - and in some communities face an uphill struggle to be heard outside their own homes.