UN Expert Urges Nations to Strengthen Protections for Women and Girls
A recent report presented by the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women and girls has raised alarms that many governments are falling short in securing the legal protections needed by women and girls, especially as pressures grow to adopt trans-related policies.
Defining Sex and Preserving Rights
The report calls on countries to legally define “women” and “girls” as biological females. It warns that attempts to remove sex-specific language from law and policy can erode important safeguards against violence. Emphasizing that the right to safety, security, and high-quality healthcare is at risk, the document condemns measures that disconnect sex from biology.
Implications for Children and Emerging Issues
Drawing from the insights of 180 stakeholders, the study highlights cases where governments have permitted gender transition procedures for minors. It stresses that interventions such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormonal treatments, and surgeries can lead to long-term consequences—including infertility, premature menopause, sexual dysfunction, and psychological distress. The report argues that these procedures not only jeopardize children’s well-being but also contravene their right to a secure and healthy development.
Calls for Legislative Reforms and International Accountability
Reem Alsalem, who authored the report, advocates for an immediate prohibition on both medical and social gender transition practices for children. She further urges governments to reaffirm their commitments under international human rights agreements, including treaties that focus on eliminating discrimination against women.
The report also underscores the necessity of maintaining single-sex spaces in critical areas such as healthcare and correctional facilities. Ambiguities in the legal definition of sex, it suggests, could leave women and girls more vulnerable to harm.
Global Movements and Policy Shifts
Recent legislative measures around the world reflect a growing trend toward restricting gender transition procedures for minors. Several European nations—including Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Hungary, and Slovakia—have implemented legal or administrative limits. Similar actions have been taken in Latin America, where countries like Brazil, Argentina, and most recently Chile, have introduced bans or restrictions.
In the United States, a Supreme Court decision upholding a Tennessee law serves as yet another example of judicial backing for limits on gender-affirming interventions for minors. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the closure of a prominent clinic following a review has fueled further debate over the long-term effects and clinical practices associated with gender-affirming treatments for youth.
A Clear Mandate for Protection
Advocates emphasize that without clear definitions, it becomes nearly impossible to ensure adequate protection for women and girls. As one representative noted, “You cannot protect what you cannot define.” This sentiment reflects a broader call for immediate action to address the dangerous implications of current policies and to safeguard the fundamental rights of women and girls.
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