4:07pm Sunday 17th September 2006
By Tanzeel Akhtar
Ethnic minority women are being held back by stereo-typical views amongst employers says a new report.
The report by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) claims that statistically Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are doing well and wanting to work full time but they are four times more likely to be unemployed than white women.
The EOC report found one in five Pakistani and Bangladeshi women- 90 per cent of whom are Muslim- said they have experienced negative attitudes to religious dress at work.
With the current climate this is understandable but inexcusable.
The report showed that one in six young Pakistani women and one in eight Bangladeshi and Black Caribbean say they were "often" asked at job interviews about their plans for marriage and children or had been asked by their employers what their husband or partner thinks about them working.
Young women may be working hard but are they really having their hopes and aspirations dashed and destroyed by "poor' career prospects?
It is true a fresh new generation of young intelligent and enthusiastic women from diverse backgrounds is fast emerging.
The young Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in Lancashire I spoke to however strongly disagreed with the reports findings.
They feel it is not just simply racist and sexist attitudes which hold back women from progressing, but many cultural factors and barriers too.
For example the lack of role models as well as differences in culture and the courage to practice their faith openly may deter young women from integrating and being able to fit in and work alongside colleagues in certain professions.
When employers interview candidates for any job they want a well rounded candidate who is able to fit in socially and work well with colleagues.
Another deterring factor may be the lack of support and encouragement.
The majority of women from Muslim backgrounds will come from families who are not very supportive of their daughters pursuing a career.
Particularly Pakistani and Bangladeshi families who are not accustomed to educated women and parents simply wish to see there daughters married and settled. Some may also lack financial support.
Sabrina Ahmed, aged 20 of Pakistani origins said, "I did really well at high school and I desperately wanted to go on to college but I didn't have the support.
"It was my dream. I envy the girls who have the opportunity to go to University. After I left school I got married and started working in retail.
"Family circumstances have not allowed me to study further. I have family responsibilities."
Majima Begum, Support worker, aged 22 of Bangladeshi origins said: "Women hold themselves back, there are plenty of opportunities out there.
"Many young women don't try hard enough, many are submissive and happy enough to have an arranged marriage and have children, reinforcing stereotypes."
Women from different ethnicities have a lot to contribute to the economy and society but many feel more help is needed to encourage these women and build confidence in order for them to break away from negative stereotypes.
Working hard and realising that a good education and determination to accomplish something is the key to success.
Many Asian women just want to get on with their lives but stereotypes are strong and need to be broken and proven wrong.
More women need to challenge these stereotypes and prove them wrong by pursuing their dream careers and progressing.
In order to be accepted and treated equally in the workplace many ethnic minority women will need to make more of an effort to conform and fit in.
Women from diverse ethnic backgrounds to prove themselves and achieve that dream job by being persistent and working twice as hard.
The EOC report does not show anything new.
The report should spur women onto to prove that they can work just as hard and achieve their goals.
One way of helping young women is providing more encouragement and support. More useful careers advice at High schools and Colleges could help a great deal.
The EOC is calling on women who have an interest in improving employment opportunities for Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Black Caribbean women to share their experiences and views, for more information contact: www.eoc.org.uk
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.asianimage.co.uk