1) Review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender | IOE – Faculty of Education and Society – UCL – University College London
Open until 1 July 2024
There are two strands to this:-
a) Call for evidence strand 1: Data collection on sex and gender (ucl.ac.uk) examples of public bodies collecting flawed data on sex and gender (public bodies include NHS so again you can send in a quick example from your own Trust/workplace) other health public bodies include NHSE, NICE, CQC, Health Research Authority, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Human Tissue Authority but you can submit anything from any public body that you have noticed. For example, if you spot conflation of sex and gender in any forms you are completing – take a screenshot and submit if it is from a public body. You can make multiple submissions anonymously.
b) Call for evidence Strand 2 Barriers to research on sex and gender (ucl.ac.uk) examples from academics about barriers – it would be great for academic members to respond to this as you will likely have some easy examples to hand. However even if not an academic if you work as part of an institution that carries out research you can contribute about barriers you have seen or experienced including a chilling effect and also it asks about events and no-platforming. It specifically asks if you are happy to be quoted or not.
2) NHS Constitution: 10 year review – Department of Health and Social Care (dhsc.gov.uk)
Open until 25th June 2024
This one is also pretty quick to do as you can simply answer yes or no to most of the proposals (there are free text boxes for each if you have feedback to share but these are not compulsory) and then focus on the questions about single sex accommodation and the question about bringing the constitution in line with Equality Act via use of “sex” rather than “gender”. Again, if short on time, you can just say “yes” to these proposals but you can say more in the free text box if you wish.
3) Call for input: Incorrect guidance on single-sex spaces and gender self-identification – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Open until 26th June 2024.
This one is extremely easy as it involves submitting one example of Equality Act misinformation anonymously. For example, you could find one EDI policy from your place of work (e.g. check intranet and internet) or your professional institution about single sex wards, spaces or care that does not give correct information about single sex exemptions and send this in as as pdf or link. If you have more time, you can send in more documents. Each item has to be submitted separately but is very quick to do – you link the document, cut and paste the relevant quote from it into a box and answer a few easy questions about whether the policy is currently in use.
4) Review of RSHE Statutory Schools Guidance
Open until 11 July 2024.
This is a review of guidance to support schools to provide high-quality RSHE (Relationship, Sex and Health Education) which meets the needs of children and young people.
You may wish to give your opinion and comment at questions 22 and 23 about teaching about gender identity. The guidance states that:
“Schools should not teach about the concept of “gender identity” which is a highly contested and complex concept. If asked about the topic of gender identity, schools should teach the facts about biological sex and not use any materials that present contested views as fact, including the view that gender is a spectrum. Schools should not use materials that use cartoons or diagrams that oversimplify this complex concept or that could be interpreted as aimed at younger children. Schools should consult parents on the content of external resources on this topic in advance and make all materials available to them on request.”