Women’s sport is protected by law – but not yet in practice.
Ten UK sports bodies have been formally warned they face legal action if they continue to allow males to compete in women’s categories – in breach of equality law as clarified by the UK Supreme Court.
Stand with us protecting fair sport.
One year on, women are still being sidelined.
Over a year after the landmark Supreme Court ruling that “woman” means biological female under the Equality Act, many UK sports governing bodies have still not updated their policies – leaving women and girls exposed to unfair competition and serious safeguarding risks.
The formal warnings were sent by Olympian Baroness Sharron Davies MBE, Tracy Edwards MBE – skipper of Maiden, the first all-female crew to circumnavigate the globe – and legal advocacy organisation ADF International.
The letters warn that any governing body continuing to permit males to compete in female categories has policies that are in breach of the law, exposing them to “immediate and substantial legal liability.”
The Equality Act 2010, along with the draft Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) code, allows sports governing bodies to restrict the female category to biological females where physiological differences produce competitive disadvantage or safety risks.
“Biological sex is not a negotiable category; it is the essential foundation for safeguarding women and girls and preserving fair competition.”
Read one of the legal letters.
The letter below was sent to Mr Mooney of the Football Association of Wales, formally warning that their current policy contravenes the Equality Act 2010.
10 organisations put on notice.
The 10 sports bodies listed below have been warned that their current policies are in breach of the law and must change immediately.
Standing alongside champions speaking out for women’s sport.
It is a true scandal that men are still allowed to compete against women in sport, a year after the Supreme Court ruling. All women who play sport must be able to do so in a safe and fair environment. Today, we put 10 sports bodies on notice.
When I stood outside the Supreme Court… as For Women Scotland won their case confirming the meaning of ‘woman’ in the Equality Act 2010 is defined as ‘biological sex’, I celebrated the return of sanity. Little did I know that a year later we would still be fighting for the female category in sport.
We are committed to protecting fair and safe competition in women’s sport across the United Kingdom. We will not hesitate to pursue all legal options, should these sport bodies not act to bring their policies in line with the law and biological reality.