Strand Two: Key Finding 2

Intersectionality

Gender-based inequalities are not separate from those relating to class, race, sexuality etc. It is therefore important to consider the effects of addressing gendered injustices on other inequalities.

Our research identified some groups who would be at the ‘sharp end’ of moves towards decertification, including staff and users of public services (e.g., NHS hospital wards, shelters, and leisure centres), and staff and inmates of prisons. Some critics of decertification suggested that orthodox religious women might feel unable to use public facilities, such as leisure centre changing rooms, if they could not be certain that no ‘male bodied’ people would be present.

We also found that decertification might have implications for people moving between countries for purposes of work, travel, and, most profoundly, for asylum.  There is a need for further research in this area.

Given the different challenges that the introduction of decertification would face, the preconditions for its success, and the strength of current opposition, decertification may make best sense as ‘slow law’ – worth addressing and moving towards through laws and policies, but not yet ready for wholesale introduction.

These issues will be addressed in forthcoming and subsequent published work.

Read more about Strand Two’s findings:

Comparing legal protections

 Equality governance