Hackney Council faces pressure to reconsider its plans for the King's Hall redevelopment, as advocates argue the proposed mixed-sex facilities jeopardize safety for women and girls. Resident Suraiya Khandoker contended that only single-sex changing areas can ensure dignity and security for female users. The situation has escalated in light of a recent court ruling affirming sex-based protections for women. Advocates demand a reassessment of not only King's Hall but all local recreational facilities, asserting the council has inadequately considered sex as a characteristic in its equality framework discussions.
Suraiya Khandoker argued the architects' plans would lead to voyeurism and were otherwise dangerous for women and girls. 'Only by having no men in the room are women and girls safeguarded in cubicles in a women-only room.'
Khandoker emphasized that single-sex spaces are most favoured by the public, highlighting the necessity of maintaining women-only facilities alongside mixed-sex options to ensure safety.
She pointed out that the Town Hall had consulted groups based on every protected characteristic except sex/pregnancy/maternity when designing the equality framework.
Khandoker insisted that the council should change its King's Hall plans and extend such considerations to all leisure facilities in the borough.
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