Published on: 2026-07-14
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 14, 2026 Women
An independent UN human rights expert has called on political leaders in the United Kingdom to facilitate the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on legal gender recognition. She warned that opposition to the updated equality guidelines could weaken protections for women and girls.
The Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, expressed concern over the public criticism of the draft guidelines published on May 21 by the UK Commission on Equality and Human Rights.
The document explains how organizations should implement the Supreme Court’s decision in practice, including issues related to access to facilities and services designated exclusively for representatives of one sex.
The bill was published after the UK Supreme Court ruled in April 2025 that the term “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refers to biological sex, not gender identity.
Separate spaces and the protection of women’s rights
This decision affects the application of equality legislation in areas such as access to sex-segregated facilities and services, including changing rooms, hospital wards, and shelters for victims of domestic violence.
The ruling sparked a wide debate about how British legislation should ensure a balance between protecting the rights of women and transgender people. Supporters of the decision believe that it provides legal clarity and ensures safety in spaces designated exclusively for women. Critics, in turn, warn that it could lead to discrimination against transgender people.
According to Al Salem, the public reaction to the draft code showed “how fragile the protection of women’s rights remains” and how easily their rights to “safety, privacy, and dignity” are questioned.
The expert noted that spaces and services designed for individuals of the same sex have long been recognized as an important guarantee for the protection of women and girls, especially when it comes to privacy, dignity, and protection from violence by men. She also reminded that international human rights standards allow states to take measures based on biological sex if they pursue a legitimate aim and are necessary to ensure the equal exercise of women’s rights.
“It is difficult to reconcile opposition to providing lawful services intended for people of the same sex with the repeatedly stated commitments to end violence against women and girls,” she said.
Call to comply with the law
Alsalem also commented on the disputes surrounding the provisions of the draft concerning requests for information about a person’s sex. According to her, sex is an objective characteristic that retains its significance in various legal and social contexts, including cases where legislation provides for the provision of separate facilities and services based on sex. She noted that in some cases, requests for such information may be necessary to ensure compliance with the law.
Al-Salem called on the UK government to make a clear statement on the necessity to observe the law and ensure its enforcement.
She also called on political leaders, media representatives, business, and civil society to constructively facilitate the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision in accordance with national legislation and the United Kingdom’s international human rights obligations.
Special rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. The experts act in a personal capacity and do not represent any government or organization.
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