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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

UKMT maths competitions for girls are now for biological girls only

31 replies

TrepidationOfTheSpheres · 18/09/2026 19:57

The UKMT have updated their website to clarify that the maths competition for girls, and the maths olympiad for girls, are now restricted to biological girls only. I actually hadn't realised that they used to allow self-identification in the past - I wonder how often it happened.

I know there are those who says that there shouldn't be any need for a girls-only competition, as physical differences don't affect maths ability, but I think in a lot of schools, boys can still dominate, especially in extra-curricular maths that involve more discussion and confidence. Plus stereotypes that lurk even from primary school of boys being better at maths. I don't think boys that identify as girls would have had that same background, so I think it's worth having this sort of specific encouragement of girls. All the other competitions are open to children of both sexes.

https://ukmt.org.uk/competitions/mathematical-competition-for-girls

Mathematical Competition for Girls - UKMT

Competition date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026 The Mathematical Competition for Girls was introduced in 2025 as a new opportunity designed to inspire and challenge young female mathematicians across the UK. Why? Over the last twelve years, the Mathemati...

https://ukmt.org.uk/competitions/mathematical-competition-for-girls

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 18/09/2026 20:13

I played darts and chess for my (female) college at university. We rarely came across other females when we played against other (mixed sex) colleges. Definite under representation there.

RogueFemale · 18/09/2026 20:11

Let us just rejoice that girls are allowed to have their own space.

TrepidationOfTheSpheres · 18/09/2026 20:09

TeenToTwenties · 18/09/2026 20:05

I think female (or male) only things to counteract under representation is a justifiable use of single sex.

yes indeed. I remember being in maths clubs and challenges at schools, and even at my school that was pretty encouraging, the boys absolutely dominated the discussions, were more confident, were louder, etc. And it was definitely seen as more acceptable for boys to be good at (which isn't their fault, but just the culture around it). We felt much more like we were nerds for being interested in maths than the boys did. I'm glad this competition is actually being expanded a bit so that more girls can enter now, rather than just the olympiad one where the numbers are much more limited.

OP posts:
TrepidationOfTheSpheres · 18/09/2026 20:06

Hedgehogforshort · 18/09/2026 19:59

I think it is more about what it says which is for girls…. So no boys

yes that's what they are now doing, thankfully. Their previous policy apparently allowed transgender girls to enter, but they have taken legal advice and changed it. It's worded in a very neutral way, so I have no idea whether they are doing it grudgingly or gladly - I don't actually know if it was even an issue or had been challenged. I was just pleased to read the update today when checking for age-eligibility. I'd never really considered that there would be other eligibility issues!

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 18/09/2026 20:05

I think female (or male) only things to counteract under representation is a justifiable use of single sex.

Hedgehogforshort · 18/09/2026 19:59

I think it is more about what it says which is for girls…. So no boys

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