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Thank you for all the feedback on our #WPUKCensus webinar and for contacting your MPs to raise concerns about the framing of the sex question in the 2021 census. https://womansplaceuk.org/2020/10/17/women-count-women-wpuk-census/ #SexMatters #WomenCount #CountWomen
We were pleased to see that @ONS agrees that the sex question is vital and should remain mandatory. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/sexandgenderidentityquestiondevelopmentforcensus2021#questions-recommended-for-census-2021
We were also pleased to see there will be a voluntary question on gender identity https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/sexandgenderidentityquestiondevelopmentforcensus2021#questions-recommended-for-census-2021
However, we are very concerned that the proposed accompanying guidance will result in the UK census authorities jeopardising their ability to collect robust, high quality sex-disaggregated data in the forthcoming UK census. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/sexandgenderidentityquestiondevelopmentforcensus2021#questions-recommended-for-census-2021
Proposed draft guidance: “The sex question on the census will be mandatory, so will need to be answered by all... #SexMatters #WPUKCensus #WomenCount #CountWomen https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/sexandgenderidentityquestiondevelopmentforcensus2021#questions-recommended-for-census-2021
"However, for those whose gender is different from their sex registered at birth, who may find the question difficult to answer, the answer they provide does not need to be the same as their birth certificate... #WomenCount #SexMatters #CountWomen #WPUKCensus
"If you are one or more of non-binary, transgender, have variations of sex characteristics, sometimes also known as intersex, the answer you give can be different from what is on your birth certificate... #SexMatters #WomenCount #CountWomen #WPUKCensus
"If you’re not sure how to answer, use the sex registered on your official documents, such as passport or driving licence, or whichever answer best describes your sex.” #WomenCount #CountWomen #SexMatters #WPUKCensus https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/censustransformationprogramme/questiondevelopment/genderidentity/guidanceforquestionsonsexgenderidentityandsexualorientationforthe2019censusrehearsalforthe2021census
WPUK is alarmed that, whilst purporting to understand the importance of the sex question, ONS is simultaneously proposing to guide respondents to answer in line with their self-declared gender identity, not their sex. https://womansplaceuk.org/2020/10/17/women-count-women-wpuk-census/ #WomenCount #CountWomen #SexMatters
If you share our concerns at the proposed way the sex question will be framed, please contact your MP, Liz Truss and the ONS and let them know. Our model letter and links are here https://womansplaceuk.org/2020/10/18/make-census-make-sense/ Help make sure the census makes sense #WomenCount #CountWomen #SexMatters
