Women-only space

A women-only space is a physical area where only women are allowed. The notion of a women-only space is to provide a place where women do not interact with men.

Because the point of the space is to provide a "men-free" environment, there is discussion in some circles about whether trans women should be allowed into such spaces, both from an ethical and from a legal perspective.^[1][2][3]

The concept is a form of sex segregation, and practices such as women-only bathrooms, women-only passenger cars on public transport or women's parking spaces may be described using both terms.^[4]

In some cases questions have been raised about the value and legitimacy of particular spaces being reserved for women.^[5]

Examples of women-only spaces

Types

• Women-only bank
• Women's mosques
• Women's parking space
• Women-only passenger car
• Women's police station

Instances

• Michigan Womyn's Music Festival (access is granted to trans men)
• Vancouver Rape Relief & Women's Shelter
• Pankhurst Centre
• Maison des Femmes, Paris

See also

• Womyn-born womyn
• Womyn
• Safe-space

References

1. Julia Serano. "On the Outside Looking In". Retrieved 2013-01-08.
2. Julian Norman (22 May 2012). "Legalities of excluding trans women from women only spaces". Retrieved 2013-01-08.
3. Murphy, Mary (2014). "FEMINIST SPIRITUALITY AND GENDER Lessons From Beyond Women-Only Space". Communities 162: 38–72. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
4. Browne, Kath (Sep 2004). "Genderism and the Bathroom Problem: (re)materialising sexed sites, (re)creating sexed bodies.". Gender, Place & Culture: A Journal of Feminist Geography 11 (3): 331–346. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
5. Julia Long (2012-12-07). "So I'm a feminist troublemaker for requesting some women-only space?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2013-01-08.

External links

• Women-only space
• Respect women's-only space
• Exploring the Value of Women-Only Space
• Women-Only Spaces: An Alternative To Patriarchy