General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 6 February 2025.
Pam Gosal
Conservative
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the reported guidance issued by Rape Crisis Scotland, and its definition of the word “woman”. (S6O-04303)
Kaukab Stewart
Scottish National Party
The Scottish Government is clear that the needs of survivors of rape and sexual assault must be the utmost priority of support services.
Although we cannot intervene in the running of independent organisations, we are clear that access to separate or single-sex provision for survivors is a legitimate and proportionate response when providing support to rape survivors. We therefore welcome the fact that Rape Crisis Scotland is currently consulting member groups and survivors to agree a clear approach to the matter within the terms of the Equality Act 2010.
Pam Gosal
Conservative
It was recently reported that Rape Crisis Scotland has dropped its pledge to define the word “woman”, after a series of scandals over the service’s embracing of gender ideology. That does not give reassurance to survivors of rape and sexual assault that the charity will be a safe, single-sex space for them. Does the Minister agree that “adult human female” is the only appropriate definition of the word “woman”?
Kaukab Stewart
Scottish National Party
A woman is an adult female—that is clear. However, it is simply a fact that trans people also exist and have always done so. That is not new.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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