“We are in fact making constant efforts to promote and encourage women in air sports…” Jamie Shelden, CIVL Secretary, posted this message to her Facebook page. It is CIVL’s ‘official response’ to the social media sexism row at the FAI European Paragliding Championships. Jamie has agreed to its publication here
I am a female pilot and representative of the FAI as the CIVL Secretary and I am here in Krushevo serving as a juror at the European Paragliding Championships 2016. I felt it was time to officially respond to [the Facebook post about sexism] on behalf of the CIVL.
While this competition is FAI sanctioned, neither the FAI or the CIVL “run” competitions. Private parties, via their country’s NAC (national airsports organizations) are responsible for all aspects of “running” an event such as this. Neither the FAI or the CIVL “allowed” this photo to be posted on Facebook.
It is the responsibility of the CIVL to ensure that Category 1 events (world championships and continental championships) are “safe, fair and satisfying”. It is NOT the responsibility of the CIVL, nor do we feel it is appropriate to engage in the censorship of any media reports or photographs posted by private parties or competition organizers.
The person who posted this remark as well as many commenters seem to believe that the FAI or CIVL is responsible for discrimination in the sport and they seem to suggest that we are not making great efforts to encourage and promote women in hang gliding and paragliding. This belief is misguided.
We are in fact making constant efforts to promote and encourage women in air sports. Last February CIVL created a “Women’s Dynamics” working group with a dedicated page on the CIVL site. We also implemented specific rules that allowed for more women to participate in this very event.
On a rest day here last week we held a special meeting specifically to discuss women in competition and what the CIVL can do to help promote more participation. We endeavor to make tangible contributions to the promotion of women in our sports and this characterization of the CIVL as an organization that is not “setting the bar” to your standard is unjustified and unfair.
We respect the right of all individuals to express their opinion on this matter or their distaste for this photo. However, it is unfair of any person commenting here to suggest that the CIVL is in any way responsible for this photo or for promoting the “objectification of women.”
Moreover, expecting that the CIVL should censor this photo is also unwarranted. It is, fortunately, not the job of CIVL to make judgments as to what is or is not an acceptable depiction of the events at this or any other competition.
