Dr Özge Onay contributes to Gendered Islamophobia Inquiry

Dr Özge Onay, a University Teacher in Criminology, Sociology, and Social Policy researches Islamophobia and the intersection of race, religion, and class. She has explored how British Muslim Turks navigate Islamophobia from seemingly contradictory directions and examined the structural and ideological forces shaping exclusion and discrimination. Her work contributes to broader discussions on racial, ethnic and religious justice. Her submission provides evidence and recommendations relevant to the inquiry on Gendered Islamophobia, highlighting the specific ways in which Muslim women experience intersecting forms of discrimination.

The Inquiry aimed to understand the specific challenges facing Muslim women in the UK today. It focused on the barriers women and girls encounter reporting Islamophobia and the ways gendered Islamophobia can be challenged.

Launching the Inquiry, the Committee's Chair, Sarah Owen MP said:

“It’s concerning but sadly unsurprising to hear about women and girls’ experiences of Islamophobia and through this new inquiry, the Committee will explore why they are more likely to be victims of Islamophobia, and what impact this has on them, their communities and wider society.    

“WEC’s new work will examine in what ways gendered Islamophobia has an intersectional dimension and ask why some women are more likely than others to be subject to this abuse and prejudice. The inquiry will also explore if there is evidence of Muslim women being harassed from within their communities, for example, for not conforming to expected community norms or due to generational differences.”   

“Alongside WEC’s programme of work into the state of community cohesion nationwide, this inquiry will ask if there are any steps, including legislative, that the Government should take to help address Islamophobia. It will also explore what schools, workplaces, trade unions, community groups, places of worship and sports clubs can do to help tackle Islamophobia and to support Muslim women and girls.” 

Dr Onay's written evidence can be accessed on the Policy Unit website.