The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has decided that the legal definition of women is based on biological sex
The members of the feminist association “For Women Scotland”, in front of the Supreme Court of the UK, April 16, 2025. Credit Line: Tayfun Salci / Zuma Press / Profimedia
The legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex and not the genre, decided on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. The decision may have major implications on how the laws on equality in Scotland, England and Wales are applied, according to the BBC.
The word “woman” and “sex” in the law of equality of 2010 refers to a biological woman and a biological sex “, unanimously established the magistrates of the highest British judicial court, after analyzing an action against the Scottish government submitted by the feminist association” for Women Scotland “.
The association filed a complaint in 2018 against the Scottish Government, contesting that Trans women holding a genre recognition certificate benefit from discrimination as women, based on the Law of equality of 2010.
“For Women Scotland” argued that these rights should protect only Cisgen women (no a person whose gender identity corresponds to the sex attributed at birth).
In front of the Supreme Court, the co-founder of the association, Susan Smith, said: “Today the judges said what I have always believed: that women are protected from their biological sex.
While conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the decision as a “victory for all women”, Scottish deputy Maggie Chapman, a member of the Green Party of Scotland, a prominent militant for the rights of trans persons, said: “This is a deeply worrying decision for human rights and a huge blow to our society.”
