Universities UK withdraws rules on gender segregation
Universities UK guidance had been labelled as the “legitimisation of sex apartheid”
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Controversial guidelines approving the seperation of men and women at certain events at universities are being reviewed after criticism from the Prime Minister
The representative body Universities UK has said it was withdrawing a specific case study referring to external speakers from “ultra-orthodox religious groups” who could request that men and women are separated at events they speak at.
It is now reviewing its stance, after both David Cameron and Education Secretary Michael Gove criticised UUK’s guidance - with Gove describing them as a "pander to extremism".
A spokesperson said that Mr Cameron “doesn't think that guest speakers should be able to address segregated audiences and he thinks that Universities UK should urgently review its guidance.”
The guidance was issued in November, following a series of Islamic events where male and female students had been separated at university.
Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: "Universities UK agrees entirely with the prime minister that universities should not enforce gender segregation on audiences at the request of guest speakers. However, where the gender segregation is voluntary, the law is unclear. We are working with our lawyers and the EHRC [Equality and Human Rights Commission] to clarify the position.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments