Implementation of central concepts
Author | Jenny Julen Votinius |
Pages | 8-15 |
8
3Implementation of central concepts
3.1General (legal) context
3.1.1Surveys on the definition, implementation and limits of central concepts of gender
equality law
In 2017, the Inquiry concerning a Stronger Status and Improved Living Conditions for
Trans People delivered its report to the Government.5 The inquiry highlighted that the
current, binary definition of sex as referring to men and women could lead to difficulties
for transgender persons. The report puts forward a number of examples, such as the risk
of involuntarily getting their transidentity or trans background revealed to the public; the
fact that people who cannot or do not want to identify as a man or woman are invisible in
the statistics; and that this group does not get legal recognition because their gender
identity is not recognised by the State. The inquiry has proposed that the government
appoint an investigation to explore the possibility of introducing a third legal gender in
Sweden, including gender-neutral social security numbers. To date, the Government has
not initiated such an investigation.
3.1.2Other issues
There are no other issues to report.
3.1.3General overview of national acts
The Discrimination Act (DA) (Diskrimineringslagen (2008:567)).
3.1.4Political and societal debate and pending legislative proposals
In 2019, #metoo was still high on the agenda in political and societal debate. In addition,
the issues of men’s violence against women, and honour-based violence and oppression
have received particular attention.
There are no pending legislative proposals concerning gender equality.
3.2Sex/gender/transgender
3.2.1Definition of gender and sex
Chapter 1 Section 5(1) of the DA defines sex as the fact ‘that someone is a woman or a
man.’ In addition, it is stated –in Section 5(2) –that ‘a person who intends to change or
has changed the sex they belong to is also covered by sex as a ground of discrimination.’
3.2.2Protection of transgender, intersex and non-binary persons
Transgender, intersex and non-binary persons are protected under a special ground
covered by the DA. This ground is defined as when ‘someone does not identify herself or
himself as a woman or a man or expresses by their manner of dressing or in some other
way that they belong to another sex’, Chapter 1 Section 5(2).
Should the person consider a change of sex, Chapter 1 Section 5(2) also provides
protection. It states that ‘a person who intends to change or has changed the sex they
belong to is also covered by sex as a ground of discrimination.’
5Government Report SOU 2017:92.
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