A UN Rapporteur Supports Donald Trump’s Decree Excluding Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports and Proposes an “Open” Category

Reem Alsalem Welcomes Trump’s Decision and Advocates for Fair Inclusion

Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, has expressed her support for the decree signed by Donald Trump on February 5. This measure prohibits transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports competitions. According to her, this decision sends “a clear message” in favor of women’s rights to have spaces specifically reserved for them, including in the realm of sports.

While supporting this initiative, Alsalem recommended the creation of an “open sports category” to ensure that no one is excluded from competitions. In her statement, she emphasized that this approach would respect the principles of fairness, safety, and dignity for all participants.

A Controversial Measure, Criticized by Human Rights Defenders

This decree, which suspends federal funding for educational institutions allowing transgender students to join female teams, has been criticized by several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International.

However, Alsalem views this measure as “a decisive step” to preserve fairness in women’s sports. She insists on the importance of maintaining categories based on biological sex to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls.

Read also: Trump Urges IOC to Ban Transgender Athletes

A Call to Ensure Access to Sports for Everyone

In response to the controversy, the UN rapporteur urged the U.S. government to ensure that everyone can access sports “safely, with dignity, and on equal terms.” She suggested that creating an open category, or transforming the current male category into such a category, would allow transgender athletes to compete without restrictions related to their biological sex.

The American Context and Pressure on the 2028 Olympic Games

In the United States, the issue of transgender rights remains a major point of contention in the public debate. Since returning to power in January, Donald Trump has taken multiple actions aimed at limiting transgender participation in various areas, claiming to put an end to what he calls the “transgender delusion.”

Following this decree, the U.S. president also pressured the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles. Since 2021, the IOC has allowed sports federations to set their own eligibility criteria for athletes.