Male athletes have a natural advantage over females, making competition between the sexes unfair and dangerous, Reem Alsalem believes
Athletes who were born male should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports because they enjoy an unfair advantage, according to the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem. Her comments follow a transgender controversy at the Paris Olympics, which highlighted safety issues facing participants and called into question the integrity of the games.
Alsalem on Thursday presented a report to the organization in which she warned that female athletes could be physically vulnerable to biological males when competing in the same sports.
Emphasizing that the sports function on the premise that “a separate category for females is needed to ensure equal, fair and safe opportunities,” she noted, as cited by Sky News, that “multiple studies offer evidence that athletes born male have proven performance advantages in sport throughout their lives.”
According to Alsalem, undermining the eligibility criteria in single-sex sports would lead to “unfair, unlawful and extreme forms of discrimination against female athletes.” In light of this, she argued, sports authorities should “ensure that female categories in organized sport are exclusively accessible to persons whose biological sex is female” to guarantee fair play.
The official noted that in cases when the sex of an athlete is “unknown or uncertain,” this person should undergo genetic testing in a dignified manner, such as a cheek swab.
Alsalem said that while the report – which she described as independent and having a certain authoritative weight – will not have any legally binding implications, she hopes it will contribute to the human rights conversation.
The report comes in the wake of a gender scandal at the Paris Olympics, where Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won the gold medal in women’s boxing. Khelif was disqualified from competition last year by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after a DNA test indicated that the athlete was ineligible to compete with women. Khelif has denied allegations of being born a biological male while complaining of “online harassment.”
Commenting on the controversy, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said that there is not “a scientifically solid system how to identify men and women,” arguing that chromosome testing is no longer sufficient to distinguish between the two sexes. According to the IOC, the decision came down to Khelif’s passport, which identifies the athlete as a woman.
Halloween offers lots of opportunities for hands-on fun, from oozing oobleck to pumpkin-themed science experiments and sparkling potions fit for any witch or warlock.
These 10 Halloween activities will engage kids in sensory play and get them into the spooky spirit. Roll up your sleeves, and get started!
Make monstrous slime that glows, sparkles, and comes alive with googly eyes! Kids of all ages will love playing with this gooey, stretchy, creepy creation.
Craft a papier-mâché ghost using simple materials like newspaper, glue, and green tempera paint! Young artists will love exploring different textures and bringing their DIY monsters to life.
Plus, the linked companion activity teaches kids about the letter G, tying it to the words “green” and “ghost” for some eerie educational fun.
Use this simple recipe to make fragrant pumpkin play dough—just add a can of pumpkin puree! Kids and adults alike will enjoy kneading the sweet-smelling dough into jack-o’-lanterns, ghosts, and halloween treats.
Put on your witches’ hats, grab your cauldrons, and brew up some Halloween magic using ingredients like dish soap, food coloring, baking soda, and vinegar. This bubbling potion recipe is a sensory-rich activity that inspires kids to cast a variety of bewitching spells.
This is a spooky science experiment with a bang! Give your child a memorable Halloween surprise by pouring a couple of household ingredients into a jack-o’-lantern and watching as foam comes out of its eyes and mouth.
Tip: Put on aprons and lay down parchment paper to contain the foamy mess to a determined play space.
This art project is simple and easy! Split apples in half, dip them in paint, and paint a pumpkin patch on paper. Kids will strengthen their fine motor skills as they position their homemade stamps on the page.
Mix up a bubbling brew filled with boba and gummy treats. Children will enjoy combining tapioca pearls, food coloring, seltzer water, and their favorite candy to make one-of-a kind potions they can drink.
Add a squirmy surprise to drinks with gummy worm ice cubes! Your child will delight in freezing these creepy crawlies and adding them to beverages this Halloween.
Get their hands messy with paint, and press them onto paper to make handprint spiders—their fingers are the spider’s legs! Attach googly eyes, and hang their creations on the wall for some festive Halloween-themed decor.
Twist up this kooky craft using pipe cleaners and googly eyes! Bending the soft pipe cleaners will help build finger strength and dexterity. The end result is a cute, wearable ring for even the tiniest fingers!
Today, advanced mechanical components are essential in many industries for ensuring that machines operate smoothly and without friction. Even with the most heavy-duty machinery, such as robotic arms and manufacturing systems, telescopic slides and linear guide rails appear as essential but crucial components in this fluid movement. The rising demand for productivity is being matched […]
The cryptocurrency market in Canada is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by market factors rather than proactive engagement from lawmakers. A Coinbase executive highlighted this trend and pointed to the regulatory environment as a critical area for potential improvement. This article considers Canada’s cryptocurrency market and why lawmakers must be more active in it. Overview […]
Autumn is in full swing, bringing crisp mornings, falling leaves, and a kaleidoscope of colors that inspires an abundance of educational activities!
We’ve rounded up fall-themed worksheets and hands-on activities for grades PreK through 8th that will help you teach kids about ELA, math, and science. Whether you’re a parent looking for seasonal crafts or a teacher preparing lessons with themed handouts, this list has something for you:
1. Fall-themed writing prompts
Creative writing prompts
Usher in the season with these themed Creative Writing Prompts. These fresh new worksheets invite students to express themselves through narrative writing, guiding them through the use of descriptive language as they shape their characters, settings, and events:
Encourage introspection and goal-setting with these newly-released Reflective Writing Prompts for fall. The first worksheet asks students to write about their objectives for learning and growth this school year, while the second has them consider how the season’s colors and changes impact their thoughts and surroundings:
For older students ready to engage in persuasive writing or a debate unit, try these fall-themed Argument Writing Prompts. They’ll tackle thought-provoking questions like “Should all schools have a fall break?” and “Should stores stay open on holidays?” Have each student choose a perspective and write out their justification:
Spelling and writing go hand-in-hand! As your students get back into the swing of things after summer break, help them get some spelling practice with these fun new worksheets.
Fall Festival Fun lists commonly confused words like “leafs” and “leaves” or “scent” and “sent,” calling on learners to complete sentences with the correct spellings. For additional practice, the two Fall Spelling Word Searches help students identify commonly misspelled words:
During down time in your home or classroom, incorporate some fall fun with puzzles and games! Below, you’ll find a simpler maze for younger students and a more complex one for older kids. They come in the shape of a big orange Pumpkin and a winding Pumpkin Patch:
These stencils are essential for carving jack-o’lanterns!
The whole family can use these templates to easily plan out their designs, whether you’re going for the classic smiling face or getting creative by carving a flying bat:
Help kids embrace fall’s sweet flavors and harvest hues with these hands-on crafts, recipes, and more. You can repeat them year after year to develop new autumnal traditions:
For a seasonal spin on math, try this Pumpkin Patch Sequences worksheet that has students uncover hidden numbers and use rules in number sequences. It’s ideal for fifth-grade learners, teaching them to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators.
