With a recent Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of the word ‘woman’ is based on biological sex, not gender identity. It’s sparked massive outcry, with protests taking place in Cardiff and across the country. Politicians in the Senedd, other devolved nations and the UK government will now need to see what implications it has on existing legislation.
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00:00Ministers from Wales and the rest of the UK are due to meet to discuss the impact of a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of the word woman.
00:11The decision made earlier on this month confirms that under the Equality Act, sex refers to biological sex, not gender identity, and attention is now turning to how that ruling will affect policy and services across Wales.
00:23UK Cabinet Office Minister Douglas Alexander says talks will be held with counterparts here in Wales, as well as Scotland and Northern Ireland.
00:30He also confirmed that the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which operates UK wide, will issue updated guidance to service providers, including those here in Wales.
00:40The case itself stemmed from legislation in Scotland aimed at increasing female representation on public boards, but the court ruled that only biological women can be counted for that purpose.
00:50In Wales, where the Senate has taken an inclusive approach to trans, non-binary and LGBT rights, the ruling raises questions over how equality law is interpreted and applied with Welsh MPs and campaigners watching closely to what impact it will have moving forward.
01:06Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who represents the Gower, has long campaigned for clarity on the law.
01:12She told Parliament earlier this month that she supported the Supreme Court ruling and backed the clarity that it offers.
01:17When asked last month about what the definition of a woman is by Welsh Tory leader Darren Miller, the First Minister, Ali Ned Morgan, said that people cared about the economy, health and education and would not be drawn into his so-called culture war.
01:31As the UK Government prepares to engage with devolved governments, the Welsh Government may now face pressure to reassess how its own policies align with the new legal framework.
01:40James P. Watkins, reporting for Local TV.
01:42James P. Watkins, reporting for Local TV.