WomenCAN International created a health and science advisory board seeking to strengthen anti-harassment and anti-abuse policies within Sport, particularly Olympic Canoeing.
Advisory Board Members
Over many decades a myth has been perpetuated by officials at all levels of the sport of Olympic Canoeing: that unilateral movement from Olympic style canoeing will damage the female body (sex/reproductive organs, urinary tract, breasts, etc.) potentially causing infertility, incontinence, stunt feminine development, and/or cause lopsided development.
The WomenCAN International Advisory Board was created to permanently dispel this myth, get it permanently categorized as sexual harassment and not a medical issue, and promote accountability to prevent its use as a tool to deter and intimidate women away from canoeing.
Over many decades a myth has been perpetuated by officials at all levels of the sport of Olympic Canoeing: that unilateral movement from Olympic style canoeing will damage the female body (sex/reproductive organs, urinary tract, breasts, etc.) potentially causing infertility, incontinence, stunt feminine development, and/or cause lopsided development.
The WomenCAN International Advisory Board was created to permanently dispel this myth, get it permanently categorized as sexual harassment and not a medical issue, and promote accountability to prevent its use as a tool to deter and intimidate women away from canoeing.
WomenCAN International Advisory Board Consensus Statement:
“No female athlete should be denied or discouraged from the opportunity to participate in any Olympic sport on the basis that she might sustain an injury to her sexual organs or the pelvic floor. There is no valid scientific or even anecdotal evidence of an increased risk for damage occurring as a direct result from participation in any sport, including Canoeing.”
Recommendations
- Revision of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) “Consensus Statement on Sexual Harassment & Abuse in Sport” *
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- to include the above Consensus Statement
- to update the definition of sexual/gender harassment to include this issue.
This revision would ensure proper channels for reporting this type of harassment, enable greater accountability and transparency, and inclusion of this topic in education and training;
- The International Canoe Federation (ICF) should endorse the IOC consensus statement and develop an official anti-harassment/abuse policy with permanent posting on the ICF web site. We recognize revision of the IOC Consensus Statement may take considerable time, however, the ICF can still develop its own general policy.
Contact Us
WomenCAN International
Equal Opportunities for Women in Olympic Canoe Racing
Pamela Boteler, President info@womencanintl.com