WHAT'S NEXT

Tell AIBA: Play Fair, Don't Ask Female Boxers to Wear Skirts
  1. Signatures
    58,571 out of 75,000
    Petitioning
    1. Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) (+ 2 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA)
      • AIBA, Communications
      • AIBA President (Dr Ching-Kuo Wu)
  2. Created By
    Elizabeth Plank
    Montreal, Canada
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates
How We Won

Feb 20, 2012

After hearing from the more than 55,000 people (including you!) who signed Eli Plank’s petition, the President of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) has publicly stated that female boxers will not be forced to wear skirts during the Olympic Games.

At the beginning of the year, the AIBA said this was an internal matter and they wouldn’t even share their decision until June. But thanks to your support, Eli’s campaign attracted the attention of international media including the BBC, CBC and News Track India and forced them to publicly announce last weekend that women will be able to choose what they wear in the ring.

After hearing the announcement Eli said “I sincerely thank every single person who signed, supported and shared the petition.  If I could, I would give each and every one of you an individual high-five.”

Female boxing will make its Olympic debut in the upcoming London games, but the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) seems intent on keeping the sport in the Victorian era. The organization recently suggested that female boxers wear short skirts in the ring because it looks more elegant and helps distinguish female boxers from their male counterparts. This ludicrous recommendation clearly has nothing to do with athletics and only serves to enforce gender stereotypes and the subjugation of women. 

The idea that female boxers should  be made to wear skirts reduces these skilled athletes to sex objects.  It undermines the the respect they have long fought for. Beyond the obvious misogynistic implications of such a recommendation, forcing female boxers to wear a uniform they are not comfortable in may have direct consequences on their performance. Research has repeatedly shown the reality of stereotype threat on individual performances. 

On 18th January, the AIBA will make their final decision about dress recommendations based on public opinion and feedback from boxing professionals. That means that every signature the AIBA get will help force them to abandon the proposed dress code for good.

 

No matter what the AIBA does, it cannot change the fact that boxing is not a pretty sport, nor should it be. Female boxers should no more be forced into skirts than male boxer should have a jacket a tie required. Tell the AIBA to play fair and end its dangerous game of gender discrimination. 

Photo credit:

KWDesigns

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Stop asking female boxers to wear skirts

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Amatuer International Boxing Association.

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Female boxing will make its Olympic debut in the upcoming London games, but the Amateur International Boxing Association seems intent on keeping the sport in the Victorian era. Your organization recently suggested that female boxers wear short skirts in the ring because it looks more elegant and helps distinguish female boxers from their male counterparts. This dangerous recommendation objectifies female athletes and must be reversed immediately.

Female athletes should wear whatever uniform best suits their sport. Suggesting that female boxers should wear skirts reduces these skilled athletes to sexual objects. It undermines the the respect they have long fought for. Furthermore, forcing female boxers to wear a uniform they are not comfortable in may have direct consequences on their performance. Research has repeatedly shown the reality of stereotype threat on individual performances. It is simply ludicrous to suggest that, without a skirt to help, people cannot honestly distinguish between a male and female boxer.

No matter what the AIBA does, it cannot change the fact that boxing is not a pretty sport, nor should it be. Female boxers should no more be forced into skirts than male boxer should have a jacket a tie required.It is time for the AIBA to play fair and end this dangerous game of gender discrimination.

I look forward to hearing from you on this matter very soon.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

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