Overview

• The UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled that 'woman' under the Equality Act 2010 refers exclusively to biological females at birth.
• The decision arose from a challenge by For Women Scotland against the inclusion of trans women in a 2018 Scottish gender quota law for public boards.
• While the ruling clarifies single-sex policies, it maintains anti-discrimination protections for transgender individuals under gender reassignment grounds.
• Supporters, including J.K. Rowling, praised the decision for safeguarding women's spaces, while critics like Amnesty International warned of potential human rights implications.
• The UK government welcomed the clarity provided for service providers, while trans rights groups expressed concern over the broader societal impact on transgender inclusion.