Scottish universities are facing intense criticism for refusing to bar men from women's spaces, more than a year after the Supreme Court ruled that sex in law is based on biology. Women's rights campaigners insist that 'time has run out' for higher education leaders to overhaul gender-neutral policies concerning single-sex spaces and women's sports.
EHRC Guidance and Legal Context
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has confirmed that access to toilets and changing rooms must be based on biological sex. This guidance, published last week, follows the Supreme Court's ruling that 'woman' under the Equality Act is defined by biological sex. The code of practice is now before Parliament, with MPs and peers having 40 days to raise any concerns. If no objections are lodged, the guidance will become statutory.
Current State of Scottish University Policies
Campaign group Women Won't Wheesht (WWW) conducted an investigation and found that only one of Scotland's 16 universities has a clear biological sex-based policy. Glasgow Caledonian University is the sole institution to have set out a straightforward position on access to toilets and changing rooms aligned with sex at birth.
According to WWW's research, several universities openly promote gender-neutral access, including:
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Aberdeen
- University of Dundee
- University of St Andrews
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Stirling
- Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Eight other universities—Edinburgh Napier, Queen Margaret, Highlands and Islands, Abertay, Robert Gordon, Heriot-Watt, University of the West of Scotland, and Glasgow School of Art—did not appear to have current published policies on the matter.
Campaigners' Demands
WWW co-founder Clare Blom stated: 'Female students are being expected to surrender privacy and boundaries, then smeared as bigots if they object. Universities cannot continue dragging their heels—time is up and they must now comply with the law.' Critics argue that the EHRC guidance must force a rethink across Scottish campuses where gender ideology has become entrenched.
University Responses
A University of Stirling spokesman said the institution had been waiting for EHRC guidance before updating its policies. Universities Scotland, the umbrella body representing the sector, was contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
The pressure on Scottish universities comes as part of a broader debate about the implementation of the Equality Act and the protection of single-sex spaces. Women's rights groups maintain that female students should not have to compromise their privacy and safety.
