15/06/2026
What does the Code say about single-sex spaces?
When providing a separate or single-sex service, a service provider must be able to demonstrate that doing so is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
A legitimate aim could include ensuring the safety of women or the privacy and dignity of women and/or men. When considering whether providing a separate or single-sex service is proportionate, the service provider should consider all potential service users and whether there is a fair balance between the benefits of offering the service as a separate or single-sex service, the needs of those who are accessing it, and the impact on those who are excluded from accessing it. The needs of potential service users include the specific needs of people with different protected characteristics, such as older people, disabled people and those who observe particular religious practices.
The draft Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations includes worked examples to help service providers understand how equality law may apply in practice. A few of those examples are set out below/in this post - though they are not exhaustive, and the full Code contains much more detail.
The full Code is available to read during this period: https://ow.ly/a3vx50Zb7UF
To find out more about how the Code was developed including our Equality Impact Assessment, and Consultation Report visit here: https://ow.ly/a7YO50Zb7UE
This content is drawn from our draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations, which has been laid before Parliament. The Code is subject to a 40-day negative resolution period before it can be made statutory.
