The first session of UN Women goes smoothly as most delegates show support for transgender and non-binary identities.

For this year’s JOINMUN, the UN Women Council’s topic is all about legal recognition for trans and non-binary identities. There are around 50 delegates present with countries such as Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, etc. and it is clear that all delegates have thoroughly researched their country’s stance and topic, giving concise speeches during moderated caucuses.

Most delegates wish for more legal gender recognition laws, focusing on the discrimination against them, believing that trans and non-binary binary identities should have more acknowledgement and acceptance instead of prejudice. Many delegates are confident in what they say, maintaining their belief that all human beings are equal in rights and support legal recognition for the trans and non-binary. They also believe in supporting trans and non-binary people in employment, healthcare and education, stating that human rights should be upheld no matter the gender.

After around 4-5 moderated caucuses, a delegate proposed an unmoderated caucus for 20 minutes which was passed and so, the delegates spent their time finding allies and others who agree with their country’s position as well as deciding which country should be with which due to some differing stances. For instance, while most countries here recognize transgender and non-binary identities as well as are working to decrease and ultimately eradicate discrimination against them, other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, only support man and woman genders, however, are also working on lessening prejudice against genders outside the two.

For France, while the government supports trans and non-binary, a minor amount of people there are very much critical about them and still believe in old-fashioned ways, however, the delegate stated that the government has already issued a law made in 2016 where if a person is caught discriminating against people of beyond male and female genders, a penalty will be given with the punishment being up to 3 years in prison as well as a fine of 45,000 euros and 225,000 euros (for the employer’s legal representative and the employer as a company in order).

The delegate of Germany has also stated that they quote “... are a very progressive country…” and have already made laws considering the topic and stated that the country is very supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and are continuing to improve their laws to protect them.

All things considered, every single delegate in the UN Women council agrees on the fact that trans and non-binary identities should be given equal access to employment, healthcare and education as well as legal recognition.