Momina Arshid,
From suffrage to opposing gender-based violence, feminists have been Queen’s guards. United kingdom has to turn over a new leaf as new gender-related bill by Scotland, that has been tittle-tattled to confront nuclear option too, has reached the royal court.Its nothing but feminists insecurities over gender recognition legislation, clearly called transphobia by some, that has curbed to acceptance of the bill.One of those many reasons feminists have to oppose the bill is misogynist men changing their genders just to threaten women. Another excuse to rule out the laws on gender-based violence. This raises concerns for women’s as well children’s security. Scotland made the self-identification process for changing gender much easier by removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria and lowering the minimum age to 16 from 18 but has no guarantee of possible increase in gender-based violence by men changed into a women by GRC. Another reason for opposition is concern over single-sex spaces. Undeniably, the bill can potentially lead to bickering events in women’s spaces like women’s washroom, shelters, prison and swimming areas.GRC would possibly prove an incentive to predator sex offenders men towards vulnerable women. Concept of “gender tourism” is signalling for the need of its revival. Not just this, the bill is all set to put a dig on female quota as well. Women quota, that has been result of long feminist struggles, will find itself in a very insecure position once the bill gets accepted. Female quotas designed to ensure women representation in order to reduce gender gap will probably be took over by unemployed men who changed gender without any medical diagnosis. Surprisingly, this has been done to the women who are still fighting for curtailment of gender pay gap. That is why J.K called Scotland’s first minister , Nicola Sturgeon, “killer of women’s rights” This gender certificate bill has not fuelled up Scotland and West-minister debate but feminism vs transphobia arguments too. The bill with all its potential brought up the fix over who should be in more secured state,Women or transgenders? Because both do-not seem to be protected under one umbrella.Concerns raised by feminist do make sense. A country that is an example to follow, especially when it comes to human rights, must understand that if GRC will be legalized in UK, sooner or later, will reach rest of the world too.