Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Protecting Single-sex Spaces in the Public Sector

Russell Findlay S6M-16755 That the Parliament believes that the Scottish Government has failed to give sufficient clarity to the public sector about ensuring the availability of single-sex spaces for women and girls, such as toilets and changing rooms; acknowledges that this failure has resulted in workers in the public sector and school pupils having to share single-sex spaces with individuals of the opposite sex, jeopardising their safety, dignity and privacy, and subjecting some to horrific incidents of sexual abuse and harassment, and calls on the Scottish Government to urgently issue a directive to all public sector organisations requiring that adequate single-sex spaces for biological women and girls are provided on their premises in line with legal obligations. Shirley-Anne Somerville S6M-16755.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-16755 in the name of Russell Findlay (Protecting Single-sex Spaces in the Public Sector), leave out from "believes" to end and insert "notes that the Scottish Government fully upholds the Equality Act 2010, and requires all public bodies to comply with the law, and welcomes the role of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in providing codes of practice and guidance." Jackie Baillie S6M-16755.1 As an amendment to motion S6M-16755 in the name of Russell Findlay (Protecting Single-sex Spaces in the Public Sector), leave out from “, such as toilets” to end and insert “; acknowledges concerns about dignity and privacy; notes recent research on safety in hospitals relating to rape and sexual assault; calls for more accurate recording and reporting in the NHS, including to the police, leading to better protections; further calls for an end to mixed sex wards; supports ensuring that schools are designed as accessible and welcoming environments for all, including accessible and single-sex toilets, and calls for the Scottish Government to outline how single-sex provision will be delivered in public buildings, such as schools and hospitals, and in line with legal obligations.” Maggie Chapman S6M-16755.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-16755 in the name of Russell Findlay (Protecting Single-sex Spaces in the Public Sector), leave out from first “the Scottish Government” to end and insert "all women deserve protection from misogyny, including transmisogyny; condemns the rise in transphobic rhetoric and policy; believes that transgender and nonbinary people contribute immensely to the wellbeing of Scotland's communities; reiterates its commitment to human rights for all, including freedom from discrimination and upholding the Equality Act 2010; requires all public bodies to comply with the law, and welcomes the role of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in providing codes of practice and guidance.”