In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has ruled that the legal definition of a woman under the Equality Act 2010 is based solely on biological sex.
The unanimous judgment was delivered on Wednesday, 16 April, by a panel of five justices, addressing whether the term “woman” in the Equality Act includes transgender women who hold Gender Recognition Certificates (GRCs).
The ruling follows a long-running legal dispute between the Scottish Government and the women’s rights group For Women Scotland. In its decision, delivered by Lord Hodge, the court held that the words “sex”, “man”, and “woman” as used in the Equality Act refer to biological sex.
Well-paved roads and modern interchanges in Ghana’s top regions are transforming travel experiences, connecting cities, and boosting tourism and trade.
Africa is a continent celebrated for its cultural richness and diversity. However, it also faces stark inequalities—particularly in the realm of public health—where some nations continue to struggle with alarmingly low life expectancy rates.
Any other interpretation, the court said, would render the Act “incoherent and impracticable”.
ALSO READ: Chaos erupts in court as suspect accuses police officers of bribery, extortion
A summary of the ruling stated:
Therefore, a person with a Gender Recognition Certificate in the female gender does not come within the definition of a ‘woman’ under the Equality Act 2010, and the statutory guidance issued by the Scottish ministers is incorrect.
While the judges emphasised that the ruling was not a victory for one side over another—and reaffirmed that transgender individuals remain protected from discrimination under the law—the verdict was met with celebration from supporters of For Women Scotland.
Outside the court, campaigners chanted “women’s rights are human rights”.
Susan Smith, Co-Director of For Women Scotland, told the BBC following the ruling:
In Scotland specifically, I think what our politicians need to get their heads around is this is the law, and they need to stop pushing faulty guidance into schools and hospitals. I think there is going to be an ongoing fight, because we still have policies that now we know are not in line with the law.
She continued:
ALSO READ: ‘We won’t embark on witch-hunts like the NPP’ – Asiedu Nketiah to ORAL critics
This is not about prejudice or bigotry, as some people would say. It’s not about hatred for another community. It’s just about saying that there are differences, and biology is one of those differences. We just need protections based on that.
The ruling is expected to have significant implications for public policy and legal interpretations of sex and gender in the UK going forward.
