United Nations expert Reem Alsalem criticized the Biden administration’s Title IX proposal. In a statement, Alsalem, a special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, expressed his concerns about the proposal. The Biden administration’s Title IX aims to expand the meaning of sexual discrimination.
In addition, it aims to include gender identity and prevent schools and colleges from banning transgender athletes. However, the proposal went up in smoke last Wednesday when it received pushback from Alsalem, a United Nations expert.
Alsalem warned the proposed changes would violate biological women and girls’ rights to equality and non-discrimination as student-athletes. “I share the concern expressed by women and girl athletes and women sports associations, as well as women and girls on sports scholarships,” Alsalem said in a news release.
In addition, the UN expert said, “The proposed Title IX rule changes would have detrimental effects on the participation of biological women and girls in sports, including by denying them the opportunity to compete fairly, resulting in the loss of athletic and scholarship opportunities.”
Also, Alsalem added that the Title IX proposal could remove private spaces for women and girls. “More importantly, it would lead to the loss of privacy, an increased risk of physical injury,” she said. Furthermore, the UN expert said it could lead to “heightened exposure to sexual harassment and voyeurism.”
The UN expert said losing privacy and equal sporting and academic opportunities could lead to psychological stress. According to Alsalem, the proposal could lead to “a more frequent and accumulated” psychological distress.
In addition, she revealed that the proposed changes would contravene the United States’ international human rights obligations. Also, Alsalem argued it would affect the prevention of violence and discrimination against women based on sex.
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According to the Education Department’s proposed rule, they would prohibit schools receiving federal funding from imposing a “one-size-fits-all” policy. The policy categorically bans transgender students from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. Consequently, it will be a violation of Title IX.
Biden vowed to reform Title IX, a 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination at schools receiving federal funding, during his 2020 election campaign. Under his predecessor, Donald Trump, those accused of sexual misconduct barely received the punishments.
While the much-maligned standards are still in place, it leave a signature Biden campaign promise untouched. The campaign promise remains unfulfilled for nearly his entire first term in office. Over a year in, the administration proposed an overhaul of the federal rule.
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They introduced guidance that would provide stronger support for transgender and nonbinary students, as well as victims of sexual assault. In a press release, the administration discussed how the proposed rule helps students.
They said it affirms that students benefit from the chance to join a school sports team. Also, they said it helps students to learn about teamwork, leadership, and physical fitness. In addition, the administration said the proposed rule would provide schools with a framework for developing eligibility criteria.
According to them, the eligibility criteria would protect students against unequal athletic opportunities. Also, it will give schools the flexibility to develop their participation policies. Consequently, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said that he supports allowing biological male transgender people to compete in women’s sports.
During his confirmation hearing, he said it is “critically important” that educators and school systems “respect the rights of all students.” According to Cardona, this includes students who are transgender.
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