Women Speak Scotland supports the promotion and protection of women’s sex-based rights. We recognise the life-long impact that being born female has on women’s experiences, opportunities and relationships.
We believe in the right to freedom of speech. We believe we should be able to discuss and research women’s rights and protections – in academic institutions, political and legal circles, on social media, within publicly funded organisations, and in cultural spheres – without fear of physical or emotional attack, harassment or threats to our livelihoods.
The website provides information about campaigns and actions which support women’s rights, or which counter the current misogynistic campaign against free speech and democratic discourse on issues of sex and gender.
The website is published by an informal network of feminists. We welcome comment and contributions from everyone who shares our values and concerns, regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, social class or political affiliation.
Latest Petitions
Withdraw the ‘Supporting transgender young people in schools’ guidance from Scottish schools
Update the Equality Act to make clear the characteristic “sex” is biological sex
Repeal the Gender Recognition Act 2004
Review the Gender Recognition Act and its interaction with the Equality Act
Scottish women’s groups warn Anas Sarwar that he “cannot hide any longer” and will be held to account on Gender Recognition Reform Bill
Women Speak Scotland and other grassroots organisations have written to Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, on Monday 12 December urging him follow his conscience ahead of the Scottish parliamentary vote on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill on 21 December. We invite groups and individuals to add their names to the list of signatories. You can read the letter and sign it here.
Letter to UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women
WSS joined 29 other individuals and organisations, including many with backgrounds in campaigning on women’s rights and delivering services for women who have experienced male violence, in writing to the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Reem Alsalem, to welcome her intervention on the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill. The full letter is available here.
The Trans Umbrella is older than you think
Gerry Davies has written an excellent article on the term ‘trans’ which encompasses a variety of ‘identities’. You can read it here.
NEWS & Articles
Erskine – Bernard Jenkin
The Scottish draft Bill on gender recognition throws up uncertainties and would weaken women’s sex-based rights in the UK. Political dialogue is urgently needed
For Women Scotland: What Their Victory Means
Women Speak Scotland 