Royal College told: Not only women can get pregnant

A PRESTIGIOUS medical body has sparked outrage for inviting a woke organisation that claims mothers-tobe are ‘pregnant people’ to its International Women’s Day event.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) seminar was advertised as an opportunity for participants to discuss ways to challenge sexism in healthcare.

Yet the appointment of speaker, Tori Ford, founder of non-profit Medical Herstory, attracted controversy having stated it’s a myth ‘all pregnant people are women’.

Instead, it uses the inclusive term ‘pregnant people’ to cover trans men, non-binary people and ‘other gender non-conforming individuals’.

Feminists and maternity care groups said RCOG’s decision to invite Medical Herstory was ‘disappointing’ and that inclusive language shouldn’t come at the expense of ‘erasing the majority’ of women.

Feminist author Milli Hill said while she welcomed the college challenging medical sexism on International Women’s Day, Medical Herstory’s involvement was concerning.

‘ Sexism happens to women because of their sex,’ she said.

‘It’s therefore disappointing to see that RCOG have commissioned a group who, in spite of the promising name Medical Herstory, appear to be confused about the difference between sex and gender.

‘Their Instagram post that states the number one most common pregnancy myth is that “all pregnant people are women” is a classic example of this.’

Ms Hill also said while individuals should be treated with respect, inclusive language should not erase women, especially in the fight against sexism.

‘Language should not be changed at population level, erasing the majority to suit a very small minority,’ she said.

Maternity care advocacy coalition With Woman were also critical, saying: ‘Herstory stating that it is a myth that all pregnant people are women are missing the whole point of the stigma.’ A spokesman for RCOG said: ‘Our webinar is exploring stigma and shame that perpetuate health inequities, by deterring people from seeking care.

‘This reflects our commitment to tackling stigma within health services, reducing health inequities and supporting the health workforce to provide quality, respectful care to all’. Medical Herstory was also contacted for comment.