(25 March 2009)

An Ipsos MORI survey for the Equality and Human Rights Commission about the career aspirations of Muslim women reveals an ambitious group who want to play a full part in the economic future of Britain. The survey, which challenges assumptions that different groups do not share the same aspirations, reveals a third of working Muslim women see themselves one day as Chief Executive or leader of the organisation they work for and 75% of all Muslim women polled think it possible to balance a successful career with a family.

The survey was commissioned ahead of the publication of the first Muslim Women Power List. The list is a Commission initiative to celebrate and highlight successful role models and build a networking and mentoring legacy for, and by, Muslim women. The Commission will now link this new network with other organisations seeking to promote opportunities to groups often facing barriers to employment based on ignorance or misunderstanding.

Other findings in the poll include:

• 68% of Muslim women feel it is possible for them to reach senior positions in the workplace
• Two out of three Muslim women say there is no difference between what Muslim and non-Muslim women want in their careers
• 77% of all working women in the survey believe it likely that Britain will have a female Muslim Member of Parliament in the next ten years.

Commenting on the research, Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “I can’t think of a group more stereotyped and less understood in wider society than Muslim women. This research shows they have the same hopes, concerns and ambitions as anyone else when it comes to work. It demonstrates that Muslim women believe that work and family life can exist in balance; that many want to lead their organisations and they can achieve prominence in public life.

“The findings contradict assumptions that some groups are somehow ‘different’ from the mainstream; that some people should ‘stay at home’, ‘shouldn't want a career’ or ‘aren't like us’.

“Our list of female Muslim high achievers challenges many stereotypes, celebrating some truly impressive individuals. But the list is really just the start of a more ambitious project to create a network of women defined by their professional capabilities and interests, where faith and their background may just be one part of who they are."

Click here to read about the Muslim Women's Power List.