Is the Women's Prize for Nonfiction accepting submissions from men?

[ArabellaScott]

This article claims yes.

'In a landmark move towards inclusivity, the Women’s Prize Trust has confirmed that trans women will be eligible to enter the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction. The decision marks a significant evolution in the prize’s eligibility criteria and reflects ongoing efforts to ensure the award is representative of all women’s voices.'

https://www.scenemag.co.uk/trans-women-eligible-for-2026-womens-prize-for-non-fiction/

However, the quotes are very bland, say nothing at all about including males who identify as women, and I can't see anything relevant in the eligibility criteria.

Because of course if a prize is set up for women, it can't include men, or it would be contravening the Equality Act.

I suspect the article is stirring.

[email protected]

It does seem a bit wooly about whether it's actually happening or whether they're shit stirring to ruin another women's space by getting a load of blokes to enter it by telling them that it's open to them. It does also seem odd that the nonfiction prize would have different rules to the fiction prize, which is what the article also implies.
There's certainly nothing in their eligibility criteria about this (unless I've completely missed it): https://womensprize.com/app/uploads/2025/07/TCWPNonFiction2026.pdf

No, all I can see is:

'2.1 Any narrative non-fiction book written in English by a woman of any
nationality is eligible.'

Quotes from unnamed representative:

'...the updated eligibility guidelines are designed to “recognise and honour the full diversity of women’s experiences,” adding that the Trust is committed to “amplifying underrepresented voices in literature.”'

Nothing in there about men identifying into it.

the Trust is committed to “amplifying underrepresented voices in literature.”'

Surely they're not committed to amplifying all underrepresented voices in literature? They're the Women's Prize Trust. The clue is in the name!

I'd be very happy to see a trans identifying woman in the long/short list for the fiction or non-fiction prize. If it's purely on representation and who is not heard from enough then trans identifying women fit that much more readily than the ever present, conversation dominating trans identifying men.