UN Special Rapporteur Criticizes WHO's Approach to Transgender Care Guidelines

Reem Alsalem Calls for Greater Diversity of Views in Committee Developing Guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) is developing its first global guidelines on adult transgender care, with a committee of 21 experts, half of whom identify as transgender.
UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, has criticized the WHO's approach as 'one-sided' and pro-medicalizing, expressing concern over the lack of diversity in views within the committee.
Alsalem also raised concerns about the committee's lack of representation from experts in adolescent development and the protection of female-only spaces.
Transgender Law Professor Florence Ashley, a member of the committee, advocates for puberty blockers as a default choice for minors, arguing it enables them to choose their gender identity and reduces the psychological and medical toll of transitioning later in life.
Alsalem has called for the WHO to postpone the committee's meeting in February until all concerns over the committee have been addressed.