public policy

Southern Trace Country Club had two dining areas, a men’s grille and ladies’ club, which were adjacent to their respective locker rooms. In Albright v. Southern Trace Country Club of Shreveport, Inc., the plaintiffs were four women who were denied access to the men’s grille on the basis of their gender. The district court initially found for the country club. On appeal, the Court reversed the decision, granting the plaintiffs relief.

The plaintiff was denied unemployment benefits by the Employment Security Board because prior to quitting her job, she did not notify her business manager that she was being sexually harassed by her supervisor. The plaintiff appealed.

Gülsim Genç petitioned the court of first instance to allow her to use her maiden name only, which the Turkish Civil Code prohibits. The court had previously filed an unsuccessful application to the Constitutional Court to annul this provision and, therefore, dismissed Genç’s petition accordingly. Genç appealed to the court of appeals, which affirmed the court of first instance’s dismissal. Genç then filed an application to the Court.

The applicant petitioned the court of first instance to allow her to use her maiden name only, which the Turkish Civil Code prohibits. The court had previously filed an unsuccessful application to the Constitutional Court to annul this provision and, therefore, dismissed Eşki’s petition accordingly. Eşki then filed an individual application to the Court asserting discrimination and other violations.

The Turkish Civil Code permits a married woman to use her maiden name only if the maiden name is used in conjunction with her husband’s surname. Three applicants, each in separate petitions to courts of first instance, sought to use their maiden names only. The courts of first instance applied to the Constitutional Court, which denied the request because the legislature did not abuse its discretion in determining that the husband’s surname should be the family surname, and this did not violate the Constitution’s equality principle.

Article 6 of the Law on Equal Opportunities and Treatment between Women and Men (202/2002) - gender-based discrimination

The applicant pleaded guilty before the Circuit Court of Westmoreland for the offence of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16, in violation of section 10(1) of the Sexual Offences Act. He was in a serious relationship with the underage girl, but the matter was brought to the attention of the police when the complainant discovered she was pregnant and there was a dispute regarding the defendant’s paternity (tests showed he indeed was the father).

The State of Hawaii child support enforcement agency sought to enforce a child support obligation against the defendant and to obtain a judgment for past-due child support payments. The defendant argued that the agency lacked authority and that the enforcement process violated his constitutional rights.

Zimbabwe’s new 2013 Constitution addressed women’s rights and gender equality, and its bill of rights addressed damaging cultural and discriminatory practices. A gender commission was also established to accelerate the implementation of provisions related to women. More specifically, the Constitution recognized gender equality and women’s rights among Zimbabwe’s founding values and principles.

A medical student/nursing mother alleged that the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) violated her rights under Massachusetts law by denying her additional break time and a private space to express breast milk during the United States Medical Licensing Examination.