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Women's segregation in UK communities must end - Cameron Muslim women's segregation in UK communities must end - Cameron
(about 3 hours later)
"More assertive" action is needed to tackle discrimination against women and their segregation in some communities in the UK, the prime minister has said. "More assertive" action is needed to tackle discrimination against Muslim women and their segregation in some UK communities, David Cameron has said.
Writing in the Times, David Cameron said "passive tolerance" too often supported the isolation of women. The PM said it was time to confront a minority of Muslim men with "backward attitudes" who exercised "damaging control" over women in their families.
A £20m language fund is to be set up in England, to help the 22% of Muslim women who have little or no English.
Mr Cameron said the moves could help combat radicalisation 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."This is Britain. In this country, women and girls are free to choose how they live," he said.
He pledged £20m for language tuition in England, citing data suggesting 22% of Muslim women had little or no English. BBC political correspondent Ross Hawkins says the government's counter-extremism strategy has previously been criticised by the Muslim Council of Britain as being based on fuzzy conceptions of British values.
Mr Cameron said he would not shy away from the "hard truths" required to confront a minority of Muslim men with "backward attitudes" who exercised "damaging control" over women in their families. Mr Cameron will announce a raft of new policies later as part of his plan to tackle segregation and discrimination.
Such a situation, said the prime minister, could help lead to a slide towards radicalisation and extremism. Highlighting statistics showing that 190,000 Muslim women lack English language skills, there will be a push to improve English language classes for migrants. They will be targeted at "specific communities" identified by a review into segregation being conducted by Louise Casey, head of the government's "troubled families" unit.
Health visitors, job centres, nurseries and schools should play their part, he said, adding: "But we all have a shared responsibility to tackle prejudice and bigotry, and help integration.
"We will never truly build 'One Nation' unless we are 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," he wrote.
"We don't just need a strong economy to thrive; we have to build a strong society."
'Our values'
The English language classes will be targeted at "specific communities" identified by a review into segregation being conducted by Louise Casey, head of the government's "troubled families" unit.
The lessons will take place in homes, schools and community facilities, with travel and childcare costs - described as "some of the greatest barriers to participation" - being covered. An existing scheme is said to have helped more than 30,000 adults.The lessons will take place in homes, schools and community facilities, with travel and childcare costs - described as "some of the greatest barriers to participation" - being covered. An existing scheme is said to have helped more than 30,000 adults.
Highlighting statistics showing that 190,000 Muslim women lack English language skills, the prime minister said he had heard directly about people's experiences when he chaired a community engagement forum.
He said: "It's our values that make this country what it is, and it's only by standing up for them assertively that they will endure.
"In Britain, men are not frightened of women's success; it is celebrated proudly."
In his article, Mr Cameron said it was the responsibility of migrants to improve their English language skills if they wanted to extend their stay in the UK or seek citizenship.In his article, Mr Cameron said it was the responsibility of migrants to improve their English language skills if they wanted to extend their stay in the UK or seek citizenship.
There are no plans to remove people who fail to reach a required level, but the government points out that language skills are taken into account when people request to extend visas or apply for permanent residence in the UK.There are no plans to remove people who fail to reach a required level, but the government points out that language skills are taken into account when people request to extend visas or apply for permanent residence in the UK.
And in a move to confront men who exert "damaging control over their wives, sisters and daughters", the prime minister will announce a review of the role of Britain's religious councils, including Sharia courts.
Health visitors, job centres, nurseries and schools should play their part, Mr Cameron said, adding: "But we all have a shared responsibility to tackle prejudice and bigotry, and help integration.
He said: "It's our values that make this country what it is, and it's only by standing up for them assertively that they will endure.
"In Britain, men are not frightened of women's success; it is celebrated proudly."