UN Adviser Calls for Mandatory Sex Testing in Sports

Reem Alsalem, United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, has recently underscored the necessity for female-only spaces in sports, advocating for mandatory sex testing to protect the integrity of women’s competitions. Alsalem’s stance stems from a personal history of harassment and a commitment to fight for women’s rights in sports.

Alsalem’s advocacy became notably vocal following the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where two athletes, Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, won gold in women’s boxing categories despite controversy surrounding their sex tests. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced criticism for not enforcing sex screenings, which some argue compromised the fairness and safety of female athletes.

Sharron Davies, a former British swimmer and silver medalist, has lent her support to Alsalem’s report, expressing dissatisfaction with the IOC’s history of handling gender-related issues in sports. Davies commented, “The IOC’s failure to protect women in sports is disgraceful and dangerous.”

Alsalem’s 24-page report, which was presented at the UN General Assembly in New York, argues that sex screenings are a legitimate measure to maintain competition fairness. The report also highlights that 600 female athletes have lost 890 medals in 29 sports due to competing against individuals assigned male at birth.

In the report, Alsalem suggests that individuals who do not compete according to their biological sex should be placed in an open category. The report warns that current practices, which overlook physiological advantages that are not mitigated by testosterone suppression, lead to unfair discrimination against female athletes.

This call for action comes in the wake of ongoing controversies and debates about inclusion and fairness in gender-related sporting events. Alsalem, with her extensive background and expertise, remains a staunch advocate for the enforcement of rules she believes are vital to the integrity of women’s sports.