Drive to give Muslim women more say

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Ministers want women and younger people to act as "voices of moderation" and will set up a £650,000 fund to break down barriers to their participation in local leadership roles.

The Government hopes that more Muslim women can be encouraged to find senior positions in mosques and take up roles as magistrates, local councillors and school governors.

Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly will say that women and younger people ought to have a bigger voice in their communities to help face down extremists.

"I have no hesitation - and nor do the vast majority of UK Muslims - in condemning violent extremism," she will say. "But the voice of community leaders, Muslim women and local role models will always carry more weight than mine where it counts.

"This fund will support potential community leaders, women and young people to help shape the places they live and play a fuller part in wider society."

The money will be used to support projects that build on the work of the British Muslim Forum and the Sufi Muslim Council in encouraging greater access to mosque committees for women.

It will also pay for an expansion in community leadership training courses for Muslim women and young people and new mentoring programmes run by the business community for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

An official at the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "The Government believes that we need to do more to help the voices of moderation in our communities be heard and listened to.

"For example, recognising and supporting the role of women - mothers, sisters and daughters. Women can have a unique moral authority at the heart of their family, speaking up for respect and compassion."