SCECLB19 Individual

Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament

Y Pwyllgor Biliau Diwygio | Reform Bill Committee

Bil Senedd Cymru (Rhestrau Ymgeiswyr Etholiadol)| Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill

Ymateb gan Unigolyn | Evidence from Individual

What are your views on the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the Welsh Government’s stated policy objective (to make the Senedd a more effective legislature by ensuring it is broadly representative of the gender make-up of the population)?

If you want broadly representative then it should be by sex, male/man or female/woman not by gender as per protected characteristic of equality act. If you want gender there needs to be clear definitions and how often will you review based on different gender including NB. Women are oppressed because of their sex. Self identifying ignores physical issues that women face as well as underlying misogyny within the movement that says a woman is someone who says they are. Without the experiences of sexist abuse/harassment while in school uniform, treatment and access to things due to menstrual cycle, poor recognition of women's physical health because it doesn't fit the default male (see Caroline Criado Perez) and the expectation of emotional and physical labour for caring responsibilities.

What are your views on the system of enforcement and potential sanctions for non-compliance proposed in the Bill?

Well, if it is self defined how are you going to manage this not being taken advantage of? If you are who you say you are sanctions are pointless.

Are there any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions? If so, what are they, and are they adequately taken into account in the Bill and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum and Regulatory Impact Assessment?

What is the impact on women who meet the criteria of adult human female if men can self identify into a candidate as a woman. Is senedd happy to have 50% men and the rest self identified but not actually women as formerly understood? Please see case of Spanish guards self identifying as women to gain additional expenses.

Are any unintended consequences likely to arise from the Bill?

Still more men in senedd if you allow self ID. Pointless exercise if you don't define terms and recognise barriers faced by adult human females

What are your views on the Welsh Government’s assessment of the financial and other impacts of the Bill?

What are your views on the balance between the information contained on the face of the Bill and what is left to subordinate legislation? Are the powers for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation appropriate?

Can you make this legislation given issues in Scotland and how it interacts with the equality act?

Do you have any views on matters relating to the legislative competence of the Senedd including compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights?

Yes. How does this interact with the equality act. Exemptions for use of GRC - are you bothering with that?

Do you have any views on matters related to the quality of the legislation, or to the constitutional or other implications of the Bill?

Women have the right to be recognised a a category in their own right. And have their specific needs recognised at the political and legislative level. Don't ignore us.