An Uneven Playing Field

            Men and women obviously have a very different standards for physical ability. They have different teams, different sports, and even different requirements. This has been shown in many different situations. It allows for each gender to excel in their own way. However, there is a group in the House of Representatives pushing to change that. The Equality Act was introduced last month and it has stirred up some major controversy as it will allow transgender athletes to compete in their gender of choice and the opposing side brings up male and female physical differences as well as the religious consequences that this Act would administer.

The endorsing side states that since sports have such positive impacts on a person, both physically and mentally, transgender athletes should not be denied the experience. They push for equal access both on and off the field. However, the opposition is holding to their side, saying that fundamentally, just because one identifies as a different gender, that does not change their physical ability. Therefore, it hinders the fairness of the sports. In fact it is deemed a threat, especially to women’s sports. There have been countless cases of transgender women who, were if to compete in a men’s sport would fall inadequate, however once they decide to compete at a women’s level, they dominate the competition because of the higher levels of testosterone still left in their body. This is the major argument many people have with the bill. It has nothing to do about their personal views as much as the biological component. To put the argument at its most basic: a man can decide to be female, take hormones if required by whatever sporting organization is concerned, win everything in sight and perhaps earn a small fortune, and then reverse his decision and go back to making babies if he so desires. It’s insane and it’s cheating. I am happy to address a transgender woman in whatever form she prefers, but I would not be happy to compete against her. It would not be fair (Martina Navratilova). A professional tennis player Martina Navratilova, is also a lesbian and has experience with the LGBT community highly disagrees with the idea of letting transgender people into the category of sport they choose.

When looked at from a religious standpoint, this is an issue the church is facing as well. With the LGBT community gaining more and more rights, the religious leaders are struggling to represent both the church and the community fairly. In the article, Stranger at the Gate, Mel White explains the trials a person of the LGBT community faces as well as the view point of the opposing leaders. These articles both tie together because they are trying to find a common ground between the wants/needs of the LGBT community and the morals/views of the church.

This is an issues that is incredibly prevalent today, and both parties need to come together and find a place to meet in the middle. Doing so, would help solve situations like the Equality Bill and create peace instead of a major divide.

Worldwide Women’s Education

Women all over the world are struggling to find their place in countries dominated by men. This is especially true in third world or developing countries. The struggle for them to be able to obtain an education in a society that disapproves is unacceptable. From cultural to financial reasons, the world is in a place where it is not prospering in areas that it should be. Education is an important aspect contributing to the state of the world and denying women of the opportunity will only send us further into a negative spiral.

Nearly half a million people have been killed, and millions of others have been forced to leave their homes. This makes it difficult for the women and girls who want to attend school to have the opportunity to do so. However, one nun makes this possible for a small number of girls. Sister Orla Treacy, a principal at the Loreto Secondary School, who has recently received a Women of Courage Award. Sister Treacy’s school has roughly 300 students in attendance and has become a premier boarding school in the country. Sister Treacy in a way has set a precedent for not only Catholic churches, but all churches worldwide.  Worldwide, the ratio of women to men not attending school is 122 to 100 (UNESCO). This, however, changes when you only look at developing countries where the ratio doubles or even quadruples in the lowest class of third world countries. The reasons for this disparity are unacceptable. Being from a first world country, we do not have the same type of cultural holds that women in those other countries face. We are not viewed as property that can be used to trade for cows or other livestock. Our only purpose is not just staying at home tending to a family. This difference however, comes from education.

The United States, though not perfect all the time, serves as a model for how women should be educated. We have access to world class teachers and schools, policies that do not allow for discrimination, and the financial funding to back our programs. In the countries facing this issue, that is not always the case. In an interview with Sister Treacy, she explains that one of the most pressing challenges she faces is finding qualified teachers that are willing to work for less wages than what can be provided by U.N. agencies and non-government organizations. The churches in the United States are some of the most lucrative in the world.  They, granted are putting their money toward other respectable causes, should start looking for opportunities to help further global women’s education, especially financially. If not financially, the churches should be looking for teachers who would be willing to make the sacrifice.

Another important factor, is that South Sudan is a relatively new country and because of Sister Treacy’s presence, she has made the restrictions placed on women less than in other developing countries. She used the opportunity to help the community see the young girls and boys as equals (Nzwili).  With this, South Sudan is starting to find its way even though it is still in distress. The educated women of South Sudan can now serve as a model to women in other countries as well as the country itself. It shows that girls can be educated and it does not have a negative impact on the host country.

Sister Treacy’s school is a big feat for women in South Sudan. However, the problem doesn’t stop at only one school in one country thriving. If other churches around the world are putting their best efforts in to educate women, churches in the United States need to also. With a plethora of resources, both financially and in personal, the United States is in a prime place to help the women in need.

Sources:

Nun in South Sudan honored for protecting education for girls

http://www.ungei.org/news/247_2165.html