British Communities Secretary Steve Reed has condemned the decision to bar women from participating in a charity fun run in East London, describing the incident as “deeply disturbing and entirely unacceptable.”
The 5-kilometer event, organized by East London Mosque, took place on Sunday at Victoria Park and attracted hundreds of participants. However, online advertisements for the run stated that only men, boys of all ages, and girls under 12 were allowed to take part — sparking widespread criticism and outrage.
“I have seen the reports, and I am as shocked as anyone would be,” Reed said in a statement.
“It is absolutely unacceptable that men should be allowed to take part in a public, recreational event while women are excluded. We will not tolerate gender-based restrictions in our country.”
The minister added that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will launch an investigation to determine whether any laws or regulations have been breached.
The annual event typically raises thousands of pounds for local youth projects, food banks, and international humanitarian relief efforts.
A spokesperson for the local council confirmed that authorities have requested an immediate explanation from East London Mosque regarding the exclusion of women, emphasizing that such practices must be consistent with equality legislation.
Human rights advocates have called the incident a “test case” for Britain’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and inclusion in public life.
