We write in response to the controversy surrounding the 800 m women\u2019s world running champion, Caster Semenya and the flurry of articles surrounding this sad saga.<\/p>\n
Some of those championing Caster\u2019s cause accuse those wanting to sex-test Caster of imperialism and racism (as well as sexism). Others plead for the us to wait before \u2018reaching a verdict’ arguing that the realities of sex testing are enormously complex
\nFirstly to address the issue of terminology, over which there seems to be confusion. Gender is the dominant society\u2019s views on how women and men should look, behave, what roles they should play in society, how they should perform and frequently what rewards they receive \u2013 hence gender inequity. This has usually led to lower status and discrimination against girls\/women but has increasingly been seen as limiting the options and potentially harming boys\/men too. Gender is not a politically correct term for sex. Sex testing would be just that \u2013 establishing whether a person is biologically female or male. So gender testing is not the term that should be used this case, but sex testing.<\/p>\n
Secondly, to tackle the science issue, as this tends to obscure the real issue of gender stereotyping and discrimination so evident in this case. Professor Tim Noakes, an international sports science expert says the issue of \u2018unfair advantage\u2019 which is the only thing that should be at play here as it is in the case of drug use,is simple to establish. He states that the issue that needs to be clarified here is whether the person concerned is a man masquerading as a woman or not. This could be established by a simple physical examination \u2018handled within the usual constraints of the doctor\/patient domain \u2013 not in the public domain\u201d (Cape Argus, \u2018Why the world should leave Caster alone\u2019 Fri Aug 21, 2009:21), as has happened in the harmful manner in which the IAAF has handled this.
\nAs for the rest, he says as there is great variation. All other possible tests including chromosome testing is indeterminate and so that should be left well alone. The calls for more to be done in dealing with this issue and await judgment are therefore erroneous and cloud the issue in a shroud of inappropriate so-called scientific enquiry.<\/p>\n
The third issue relates to what lies at the heart of the matter, social norms. While issues of racism and imperialism have and will continue to apply in various circumstances and have a sensitive history in terms of women\u2019s bodies particular in Africa, focusing on these issues in the current context obscures the much neglected \u2018elephant in the room\u2019 – gender discrimination. Comments within the press and on talk shows are unwittingly guilty of this same problem in placing \u2018blame\u2019 at Athletics South Africa or her coach\u2019s door. (article in sportsscientists.com and editorial in Mail and Guardian \u2018Racing to conclusions\u2019, August 21-27 2009:20). They argue that the authorities should have pre-empted this situation, given her prior experiences (at the hands of the teachers, members of the public and previous authorities). \u2018Pre-empting the situation\u2019 would fall prey to the exactly these same prejudices \u2013 pandering to what people perceive to be ‘normal’ for girls or women. This is akin to what might have happened during the apartheid era where actions may have tried to stave off racism by negotiating black people\u2019s entry into racially reserved sporting or cultural events before the time. Many white girls who do not \u2018look\u2019 as society expects will tell similar humiliating stories of being stopped from entering female public toilets or being questioned as to whether they male or female. At the core of this issue are ideas about gender how girls\/women and boys\/men \u2018look\u2019 and \u2018behave\u2019 and perform (in this case perhaps a young woman winning by 2 seconds ahead of the field is not seen as ‘normal’).<\/p>\n
This is what has been so hard to address locally in South Africa, despite our progressive constitution, due to deeply held dominant ideas about what is \u2018female\u2019 and \u2018male\u2019. It is these ideas and actions that promote gender discrimination. This leads to men, who in societies\u2019 terms do not look \u2018masculine enough\u2019, being called \u2018sissies\u2019 and women who look not \u2018feminine enough\u2019 being labelled \u2018butch\u2019. In our own society, this has led to violent attacks on some women and in our own and other countries to violent attacks on some boys\/men. This is what we need to clearly point as underlying this case and name it for what it is. Framing the discrimination as racism or imperialism without reference to gender discrimination as the main issue risks reinforcing gender stereotypes.<\/p>\n
Societies have a long way to go in terms of changing the dominant ideas on how women and men should \u2018look\u2019 and behave and perform and in some cases, dress \u2013 and allow for variations in \u2018looks\u2019 and roles to be underpinned by what people would like to be and do, rather than societies\u2019 current dominant expectations. There are many excellent organisations in our own country and abroad that have worked with women and men on this issues, but as it is all to obvious from this and other cases, much work is still needed for these choices and this freedom to take root in the broader society as a whole.<\/p>\n
Caster should not be having to deal with a world controversy over her win. She should be unreservedly basking in the glory of her and our incredible victory. No doubt she has experienced this humiliation and discrimination at other levels before and has become somewhat hardened to its effect, but we wish her, her friends and her family strength in dealing with this blatant gender discrimination. As Caster Semenya and our other gold medal winner, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, return tomorrow \u2013 congratulations on your amazing wins and Caster, you have our full support. For the rest, to Caster’s detractors or apologists, hang your heads in shame for not \u2018naming\u2019 the issue for what it is and for perpetuating gender stereotypes and discrimination in her individual case and in society as a whole.’
\nAs we once again approach the 16 days of activism against violence against women, let us bear these issues in mind and not mouth platitudes in our struggle against gender inequity and discrimination.<\/p>\n
Diane Cooper \u2013 Director, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town
\nLeslie London, Director, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town
\nNomfundo Eland , Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) Women\u2019s Rights Campaign
\nLarissa Klazinga and Rhodes Gender Action Project
\nLisa Vetten, Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre to End Violence Against Women
\nNomfundo Eland,TAC Women\u2019s Rights Campaign<\/p>\n
Shirley Walters, University of Western Cape, South Africa
\nLillian Artz, Director, Gender, Health and Justice Unit, University of Cape Town, South Africa
\nGlenn de Swardt, Health4Men
\nJane Harries, Associate Director, Women’s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nJennifer Moodley, Women’s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nSheila Meintjes, Political Studies Department, Wits University
\nIlse Ahrends, the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children
\nPhumi Mtetwa,the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
\nMarion Stevens, Health Systems Trust
\nSipho Mthathi, Human Rights Watch South Africa.
\nDeborah Byrne, Foundation for Human Rights (FHR)
\nSumaya Mall, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nNtobeko Nywagi, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nSheila Cishe, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nChelsea Morroni, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nPhyllis Orner, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nRegina Mlobeli, Women\u2019s Health Research Unit, University of Cape Town
\nMary Jansen (KIWIA) Khoe San Indigenous Women in Action
\nAngelica Pino, Gender-based Violence Programme, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
\nShireen Hassim, University of Witwatersrand, South Africa<\/p>\n
Linda Cooper, Centre for Higher Education and Development, University of Cape Town
\nAkosua Adomako Ampofo, Inst. of African Studies and Head, Centre for Gender Studies & Advocacy, University of Ghana, Legon
\nCathy Mathews, Medical Research Council
\nFareeda Jadwat,African Gender Institute, University of Cape Town
\nIlse Ahrends, Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children, South Africa
\nDi McIntyre, NRF chair, Health Economics Unit, University of Cape Town
\nAndrea Rother, Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Research, University of Cape Town
\nCarol Thomas, thewomanspace
\nJohanna Kehler, Director, AIDS Legal Network, South Africa
\nCarrie Shelver, People Opposing Women Abuse, South Africa
\nGabi Jiyane, the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
\nBalise Mahlangu, the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
\nAyanda Rapita, the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project<\/p>\n
Gertrude Fester,Feminist Forum\/ Women’s and Gender Studies,University of Western Cape
\nNaeemah Abrahams, Gender and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, South Africa
\nAngelica Pino, Gender-based Violence Programme, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, South Africa
\nPamela Scully, Women’s Studies and African Studies, Emory University & Deputy Editor, Women’s History Review
\nMary Jansen (KIWIA) Khoe San Indigenous Women in Action
\nMelissa Steyn, Department of Sociology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
\nGabi Jiyane,the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
\nMarion Heap, Health and Human Rights, School of Public Health and Family Medicine,University of Cape Town
\nBalise Mahlanguthe, Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
\nBernadette Bredekamp, Division of Family Medicine, University of Cape Town
\nAyanda Rapita, the Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
\nLarissa Klazinga and Rhodes Gender Action Project
\nLaura Pollecutt, South Africa
\nSokari Ekine,London
\nNatasha Primo
\nAlex Kent
\nAnnemarie Hendrikz
\nJon Weinberg, Cape Town
\nEvaHunt, South Africa
\nShirley Gunn, Cape Town
\nSusan Holland-Muter, South Africa<\/p>\n
Tara Weinberg, Cape Town
\nLavona George, South Africa
\nGille de vlieg, South Africa
\nMichael Weinberg, Cape Town
\nAnne Schuster, South Africa
\nJenny Radloff, South Africa
\nKathy Watters, Cape Town
\nSakina Mohamed, South Africa
\nNicolene McLean, Gender Action Project
\nCarla Tsampiras, Rhodes History Dept
\nCorinne Knowles, GENACT
\nAlan Kirkaldy, NTESU
\nThava Govender, Human Development Consulting Agency,KZN, South Africa
\nRichard Matzopoulos, Medical Research Council and UCT Public Health
\nBernedette Muthien, Engender
\nSally Gross,Intersex South Africa
\nSurplus People Project, South Africa
\nSharon Stanton, S.L Stanton Attorneys
\nTessa Lewin, Communications Manager, Pathways of Women’s Empowerment, Institute of Development Studies, UK
\nNisaa Institute for Women\u2019s Development<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In Solidarity: Statement by South African feminists – Caster Semenya and Gender Discrimination \u2013 the \u2018elephant in the room\u2019 We write in response to the controversy surrounding the 800 m women\u2019s world running champion, Caster Semenya and the flurry of articles surrounding this sad saga. Some of those championing Caster\u2019s cause accuse those wanting to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[507,508,509],"class_list":["post-4614","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-caster-semenya","tag-gender-testing","tag-sex-testing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n