We welcome this week’s announcement by the Minister for Women and Equalities. We are pleased that she has struck a balance between improving the process for obtaining a GRC for trans people and restating the importance of women’s sex-based rights.
All of our campaigning has been clear that we want everyone to be able to live their life free from harassment or discrimination. Women have worked hard to have our voices heard on issues that affect us. We are pleased that the Minister has listened.
She has made clear that the law enables single-sex services and protections for women on the basis of biological sex. We call on the Minister to make a clear statement about the operation of the single-sex exceptions under the Equality Act 2010 and how they interact with the GRA 2004. We also call on her to make sure all guidance from the EHRC to service providers, commissioners and employers is a clear and accurate reflection of the law. The same principle should apply to guidance to courts, other public authorities and media.
It is clear that too many women are being obstructed from accessing the services and support we need by the ignorance or intransigence of organisations which need to know the law better.
Labour Party Labour Women’s Declaration
Conservative Party CUP Women’s Pledge
Liberal Democrats’ Women’s Sex-based rights Declaration
Green Party Women’s Sex-based rights Declaration
Women’s Equality Party Sex-Based Rights Caucus