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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

UK submission to UN - "whatabout the pregnant men?"

106 replies

pisacake · 22/10/2017 11:42

The text as proposed by the UN:

"Although States parties may adopt measures designed to regulate terminations of pregnancy, such measures must not result in violation of the right to life of a pregnant woman or her other rights under the Covenant, including the prohibition against cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment. . Thus, any legal restrictions on the ability of women to seek abortion must not, inter alia, jeopardize their lives or subject them to physical or mental pain or suffering which violates article 7. States parties must provide safe access to abortion to protect the life and health of pregnant women, and in situations in which carrying a pregnancy to term would cause the woman substantial pain or suffering,"

and continues in similar vein

The UK's submission:
www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/CCPR/GCArticle6/UnitedKingdom.pdf

" We note that in using the term “pregnant woman” the Committee may be inadvertently restricting the application of this paragraph to exclude transgender people who have given birth; this has happened in two recent cases in the UK."

This is rather confusing language. If they are not, in the context of that sentence, 'pregnant women', then surely the appropriate sentence, by elimination, is 'pregnant men' "exclude transgender men who have given birth; this has happened in two recent cases in the UK.""

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RoseAndRose · 22/10/2017 12:05

Which is why the treaty needs inclusive language, so that the lives of all those seeking TOPs are protected as envisaged.

CancellyMcChequeface · 22/10/2017 12:04

if you are pregnant you are a woman

This. Men cannot get pregnant. It's biologically impossible. Therefore, if someone is pregnant, the protections apply to them, regardless of how they choose to describe themselves.

pisacake · 22/10/2017 11:59

It's normal for legal documents to define important terms. It doesn't make sense for a country to be allowed up with its own definition of words in order to ignore treaty obligations. .

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RoseAndRose · 22/10/2017 11:53

The UN is concerned with every country. And no, the definitions are not the same globally.

So yes, inclusive language is needed because it has to work everywhere.

pisacake · 22/10/2017 11:49

you can identify as a teapot if you want; if you are pregnant you are a woman. surely this is primary school biology?

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RoseAndRose · 22/10/2017 11:47

So pregnant people who do not identify as women should not have these protections?

I think that would be wrong.