Clarification on scholarships for men and women

Scholarships for women, men and other groups offered by charitable trusts are exempt from the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1993.

This means that groups such as the Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust can offer women-only educational scholarships, just as other charitable trusts can offer men-only scholarships, and this is not unlawful under the Human Rights Act.

The Human Rights Commission said today it was important that the position relating to charitable trusts was clarified so that they can plan their scholarships programmes for this year and the future.

Section 150 of the Human Rights Act 1993 states clearly that the unlawful discrimination provisions of the act do not apply to charitable benefits.

The Commission’s clarification on charitable trusts follows coverage of a query about the justification for women-only scholarships from an academic from the University of Victoria. The Human Rights Commission will respond fully to the broader issue raised by the researcher in due course.

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