(ZENIT News / New York, 11.04.2024).- In a report presented to the United Nations General Assembly, Reem Alsaleem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, has sparked international debate by challenging the inclusivity policies in women’s sports that permit transgender women to compete alongside biologically female athletes. Her concerns center on safeguarding women’s safety and ensuring a level playing field, arguing that biological males who identify as female often retain physical advantages, placing real women at an inherent disadvantage.
Alsaleem’s report, which received immediate responses from various member states, focused on the issue of fairness in sports. She called on countries and sports authorities to “uphold women’s rights in competitive sports” by limiting participation in women’s categories to biological females. Her central concern was the heightened risk of injuries and the potential for eroded equality in women’s sports if biological differences are disregarded. In particular, she pointed to the ineffectiveness of hormone suppression, noting that reduced testosterone alone does not neutralize male physical advantages, leaving female athletes more vulnerable to injury when competing against biologically male competitors.
Responses were swift and polarized, with strong objections from representatives of the U.S., U.K., Netherlands, France, Mexico, and Colombia. Some diplomats condemned Alsaleem’s language, calling it disrespectful to transgender athletes and claiming her stance promoted harmful narratives. A visibly upset American delegate, wearing a rainbow heart pin, suggested Alsaleem’s position could fuel online harassment against transgender individuals. In stark contrast, advocates for Alsaleem’s stance argue that inclusivity should not come at the cost of women’s safety and fairness in sports, an arena they say has played a key role in female empowerment.
Alsaleem’s critics argued that fairness principles should adapt to respect gender identity, a sentiment echoed by the 2024 Olympic Committee, which recently stated that it “welcomes diversity as part of the future of global sports.” However, Alsaleem contends that gender identity cannot substitute for biological sex, especially where physical competition is concerned. She suggested implementing non-invasive sex testing—such as a cheek swab—as a means to determine biological sex, as she believes that identity-based policies fail to protect the rights and safety of women.
Women’s Rights, Human Rights, and the Core of the Gender Debate
At a time when gender equality is championed worldwide, Alsaleem’s report exposes the tension between gender identity politics and biological realities. The Special Rapporteur highlighted cases where female athletes reported heightened risks of physical harm and exclusion, urging decision-makers to remember the importance of a safe and equitable environment for women. She pointed to troubling legislative developments, including policies in California allowing biologically male inmates who identify as female to be housed in women’s facilities, as examples of how poorly conceived gender-based policies can endanger women’s safety.
Alsaleem concluded with a strong appeal: “Human rights discourse must remain grounded in scientific and biological facts to avoid compromising the rights of the very individuals it seeks to protect.” She cautioned against policies that may paradoxically undermine women’s progress in sports, which she argues have been instrumental in advancing genuine gender equality.
This debate over gender identity and biological sex highlights a larger issue regarding policy coherence. While gender identity has grown as a concept within social sciences, it lacks the international legal framework that recognizes biological sex. Alsaleem’s report underscores a critical question: can inclusivity be achieved without eroding the rights and safety of women in physical competition?
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