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Summary
J.K. Rowling has launched a private legal fund to support women pursuing cases defending their sex-based rights against discrimination and restrictive policies.
British author and philanthropist J.K. Rowling has launched a private legal fund to support women who believe they have been discriminated against for holding gender-critical views or defending sex-based rights in public, professional, and legal settings.
The JK Rowling Women’s Fund (JKRWF), which has been operating quietly since late 2024, offers financial assistance to women and organisations pursuing legal action related to sex-based rights. This includes employment tribunals, workplace discrimination, and challenges to policies affecting female-only spaces.
The fund is entirely self-financed by JK Rowling, who was recently ranked the 168th richest person in the UK, with an estimated net worth of £945 million. It is not a charity or trust and does not accept public donations.
Designed to empower women to seek justice, the JKRWF focuses on cases that could set legal precedents, drive policy reform, and protect the rights of women in the future. It specifically funds legal representation for women who have lost their jobs or are facing employment tribunals because of their gender-critical beliefs.
The fund also supports those being pressured to comply with inclusion policies that they believe compromise single-sex services and spaces, as well as women who are engaged in legal challenges against legislation they feel threatens their existing freedoms and protections. In addition, the fund assists women who do not have the financial resources to bring legal action or defend themselves in court.
The JKRWF fund does not directly provide legal representation. Applicants must already have legal counsel and a clear legal goal. The JKRWF board reviews applications, and awards are made at its discretion for well-defined legal actions with measurable outcomes.
JK Rowling, who has faced both backlash and support for her outspoken views on gender and sex-based rights, previously offered to fund legal cases for female prisoners forced to share facilities with biological men and for women who male transgender police officers strip-searched them.
With this new fund, she continues her vocal advocacy, aiming to give women the tools and support needed to protect and preserve their rights in increasingly contested public spaces.
For eligibility requirements and to apply, individuals and organisations must complete a checklist and online application through the JKRWF website.
