Opening and leading the debate, Mrs Lockhart said that while the ruling was a landmark moment, its impact has yet to be fully realised in workplaces and public services across the UK.

Speaking during the debate, she said:

“One year on from the For Women Scotland ruling, the law is clear but the reality on the ground is anything but. This was a landmark judgment that should never have needed to be tested in the courts. It confirmed that the term ‘woman’ in the Equality Act refers to biological sex, a basic truth that underpins safety, dignity and privacy.

On paper, it brought clarity, but outside the courtroom that clarity too often evaporates. Instead of confidence, we are seeing confusion. Instead of leadership, we are seeing delay. Biological men are still being allowed into female-only spaces in hospitals, sports centres and workplaces, and the rights of women are still being sidelined.

This is not a grey area. It is not complicated. It is a failure to act on a simple legal and biological reality.

One year later, workplaces remain in limbo. The Government has still not delivered the guidance needed, including for the NHS, despite promises that it would be published within weeks. The silence has been deafening. This delay is not neutral, it comes at a real human cost.

Women are still being challenged, disciplined and dragged through legal proceedings for stating biological reality. They are being forced to choose between telling the truth and keeping their jobs. The message being sent is clear, keep your head down or risk your livelihood.

The result is a chilling effect. Women are self-censoring. They see what has happened to others and conclude that speaking up is simply not worth the risk. That is not equality, and it is not justice.

Women should not have to fight for rights that have already been confirmed by the highest court in the land. A ruling that exists only on paper is not enough. The Government must act, not with warm words, but with clear guidance and decisive leadership.

Women in Northern Ireland must not be left behind. There can be no divergence on something as fundamental as the definition of a woman. Equal rights must mean equal protection across every part of the United Kingdom.

The law is clear. The facts are clear. What is missing is leadership. The Government must now act to ensure that women are heard, protected and respected.”