32 h. ago Campaigners consider legal action against Scottish government after supreme court gender ruling

For Women Scotland says public discussion around legal definition of women has shifted to debates about toilets policyFor Women Scotland, the group responsible for April’s landmark supreme court ruling on biological sex, is considering further legal action against the Scottish government as they warned the key motivation for bringing the case was being lost amid debates about policy on toilets.At a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, the gender critical campaign group’s co-director Susan Smith said there had been “extraordinary pushback” since five judges ruled unanimously that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 did not include transgender women who hold gender recognition certificates. Continue reading...

Politics

32 h. ago Women Scotland group mulls more legal action after UK supreme court gender ruling

Campaigners say they have spoken to Scottish government about lack of action on prisons and schools guidance amid focus on toiletsFor Women Scotland, the group responsible for April’s landmark supreme court ruling on biological sex, is considering further legal action against the Scottish government as they warned the key motivation for bringing the case was being lost amid debates about policy on toilets.At a fringe event at the Scottish Conservative conference in Edinburgh, the gender critical campaign group’s co-director Susan Smith said there had been “extraordinary pushback” since five judges ruled unanimously that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act 2010 did not include transgender women who hold gender recognition certificates. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Syria asks women to dress modestly on beaches but says bikinis still allowed

Women advised to cover up on public beaches, prompting concerns about freedoms under new governmentSyria’s government has asked women to wear “burkinis” or more modest swimwear while visiting public beaches this summer, although it later clarified there will be no legal consequences for those who wear bikinis.A government directive on Tuesday asked women to wear a “burkini or swimwear that covers more of the body”, and loose-fitting clothing when out of the water. The decree also asked men not to be shirtless when not swimming. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Afghan human rights defender granted asylum after Home Office U

Claim of woman who risked life working for western government-backed projects was initially rejectedAn Afghan woman who risked her life defending human rights in her home country has been allowed to stay in the UK after a Home Office U-turn.The Guardian previously reported on the case of Mina*, whose asylum claim was rejected by the Home Office despite her high-profile work in Afghanistan. She worked for western government-backed projects and was involved in training and mentoring women across the country, which put her in grave danger even before the Taliban took over in 2021. Continue reading...

Society

3 d. ago Syria's new Islamist government orders women to wear burkinis at the beach

The tourism ministry's decision marks the first time the Damascus authorities have issued guidelines related to what women can wear since Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December.

Politics

9 d. ago Major WASPI update as campaign poised for High Court showdown with government

WASPI campaigners say they are on course for a High Court showdown with the Government over the decision not to pay compensation to millions of women

Politics

1 week ago LTA commits to introducing equal prize money at Queen’s and Eastbourne by 2029

The governing body announced an increase in investment in the women’s events in 2025.

Politics

1 week ago Committee calls on Government to ban NDAs to tackle misogyny in music industry

A report by the Women and Equalities Committee said that ‘meaningful change requires both cultural and structural reform’.

Politics

1 week ago MPs debate decriminalising abortion as opponents warn it would be a radical step

The issue has come to the fore in recent times with prominent cases such as those of Nicola Packer and Carla Foster.

Events

1 week ago Inside the Victorian era law of 1861 that governs abortion rights in the UK

As campaigners fight for the decriminalisation of abortion to the UK, we delve into the 1861 Victorian era law that currently governs women's bodily autonomy in Britain

Politics

2 w. ago Imane Khelif must undergo mandatory sex testing to compete, World Boxing says

Governing body singles out Algerian in statementWorld Boxing says new rules will ‘ensure safety’Imane Khelif must undergo what World Boxing describes as “mandatory sex testing” if she wishes to compete in any women’s event organised or sanctioned by the governing body.Gender-row boxer Khelif won gold in the women’s 66kg category at last summer’s Olympic Games, having been cleared to compete despite being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships organised by the International Boxing Association for allegedly failing to meet eligibility criteria. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Liberty in legal action against equalities watchdog over gender consultation

The human rights group said six weeks is not enough time to properly consult those affected, arguing it should be extended to at least 12 weeks.

Politics

3 w. ago Cutting aid for girls’ education isn’t just wrong – it’s economically illiterate | Larry Elliott

This slash-and-burn approach is indefensible and would have been anathema to previous Labour governmentsAsk any one of the 187 female Labour MPs whether they would have made it to the House of Commons without an education and you would probably get short shrift. Most would wax lyrical about their school days and the teachers who taught and inspired them.Yet the government of which those women make up almost half the total number of MPs is now targeting spending on “education and gender” for cuts in the overseas aid budget. It is beyond depressing.Larry Elliott is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Trump is using his assault on government to retaliate against women | Judith Levine

The administration’s attacks on the American Bar Association are part of a long line of actions that have clear commonalitiesLast week, a federal judge blocked the justice department from canceling $3.2m in federal grants to the American Bar Association (ABA). The court agreed with the ABA’s claim that the administration was retaliating against it for taking public stances against Donald Trump.But how had the US president retaliated? Which grants had he clawed back? Those supporting programs that train lawyers to defend victims of domestic and sexual violence. Continue reading...

Politics

last month Campaigners take step in legal action over toilet guidance after gender ruling

Good Law Project said on Friday that it had sent a pre-action letter to the Equality and Human Rights Commission over its guidance.

Politics