This week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution containing language recognizing trans women as real women within the framework of the EU’s gender equality policy. It is also acknowledged that it is not only women who can become pregnant.

The resolution was approved on Thursday with 340 votes in favor, 141 against, and 68 abstentions. The text is part of the EU’s priorities for the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March.

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According to the adopted document, the Parliament calls for “full recognition of trans women as women” within the context of the EU’s priorities for women’s rights and gender equality at the UN forum. The text also refers to access to services intended to protect women from violence, such as shelters.

Facsimile

As the recognition of trans women was included in a broader resolution covering multiple gender equality priorities, members were required to vote on the report as a whole. Members from several political groups voted against the resolution, arguing for the protection of the category of “woman” in international agreements.

However, the resolution is not legally binding for EU member states, but rather describes the Parliament’s recommended position for the European Union’s Council when representing the bloc internationally.

The broader report addresses issues such as structural discrimination, alleged gender pay gaps, and gender-based violence.

Not only women can become pregnant

A separate vote was taken on whether only biological women can become pregnant — 200 voted in favor and 233 against:

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