- Executive Order sends „clear message“ that „the rights of women and girls to female-only spaces, including in sports, matter“, says UN Expert
- Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women & Girls, previously warned that permitting males in women’s sports would be incompatible with US international human rights obligations
GENEVA (12 February 2025) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, has welcomed the US government’s executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sport”. The executive order, issued on 5 February, reinforces the necessity of maintaining sex-based categories in sports to safeguard fairness, safety, and dignity for female athletes.
“This decision reaffirms the importance of maintaining sex-based categories in sports, thereby safeguarding equal opportunities for women and girls,” Alsalem said.
“Most notably, it mandates the preservation of all-female athletic opportunities and locker rooms, ensuring privacy and dignity for women and girls. This executive order sends a clear message that the rights of women and girls to female-only spaces, including in sports, matter,” Alsalem added.
"This decision reaffirms the importance of maintaining sex-based categories in sports, thereby safeguarding equal opportunities for women and girls."
“The US government’s clear stand for women and girls in sport carries tremendous global significance. The executive order commits to advocating for international rules and norms that protect a sex-based female sports category—a pivotal step for fairness and safety in female sports across the globe. Its emphasis on working with the United Nations and international sporting bodies has the potential to restore the right of women and girls to fair competition and safe sporting spaces. As the Special Rapporteur highlights, now the international community must cooperate on this critical human rights issue,” responded Giorgio Mazzoli, director of UN advocacy for ADF International.
The executive order commits the administration to “promote, including at the United Nations, international rules and norms governing sports competition to protect a sex-based female sports category”. The Special Rapporteur welcomed the commitment to advocating for international rules at the UN to protect a sex-based female sports category.
Alsalem previously warned the Biden administration that permitting males in women’s sports would be incompatible with US international human rights obligations. Her report highlighting how “huge numbers” of female athletes have lost opportunities to male athletes garnered viral attention last year.
Images for free use in print or online in relation to this story only
Pictured:
(1,2) Female athletes supported by Alliance Defending Freedom;
(3,4) Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls
(5) Giorgio Mazzoli, Director of UN Advocacy
