Sex Testing is a process woman must undergo when competing in high level sport. Sex testing is a physical examination where the athlete must go in a room and get their genitals physically examined by a medical professional to determine if they are in fact the gender they claim they are. The regulations put in place by World Athletics are confining and specifically target women in sport. These governing committees can make compromising executive decisions for female athletes, such as Caster Semenya. Sex testing has eliminated an abundance of women from competing in sport and has stripped many women of their hard-earned medals. Caster Semenya was stripped of her appeal to compete in the Olympics unless she conformed to the demands put in place by World Athletics. Discussed below is just one of the many repelling stories regarding what women experience when competing in high level sporting events.
The abusive intrusive examination process that Caster Semenya, along with other women, had to undergo is astonishing. The invasive approach of sex testing is far too common. The tests have just as much to do with sociocultural expectations as they do gender norms. There is an astonishing amount of inequality and underrepresentation of women in sport. If both men and women produce testosterone and estrogen, why is it that only women are obligated to undergo invasive diminishing tests?
The internet has allowed a large audience to view the gender-based violence surrounding women in sport. Women continue to face inequalities in sport despite the immense efforts they put in to receiving an equal amount of appreciation and recognition. The discrimination and invasive experiences women in sport experience is exemplified by the diminishing testing processes women must go through to participate in the Olympics if they do not fit the stereotypes society has placed on gender.
GabrielleG
Sport, Not Games ⚽ 