The National Women’s Council (NWCI) has come under fire for opposing a decision by Irish Rugby’s governing body to ban players born male from playing in women’s contact rugby.
The Irish Rugby Football Union says it will change its policy for the coming season so that players who were born male may not participate in women’s teams. It says that its “gender participation policy” is to be based on “medical and scientific evidence and in line with World Rugby guidance.”
While women have led the charge in opposing the participation of players born male in female sports, the NWCI tweeted “Trans women are women. Trans rights are human rights” in support of a statement from TENI condemning the IRFU decision.
Trans women are women.
Trans rights are human rights. https://t.co/JX0Y0iOkpe— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) August 10, 2022
There was an immediate and furious response from women online.
Senator Sharon Keogan slammed the NWCI for failing to represent women, and said that the organisation should be defunded. Her tweet prompted one woman to ask: ” Is there a way we can make a formal complaint about this so-called organisation? As a woman and a tax payer I don’t want these fraudsters getting any of my money.”
You cowards. Nothing all week about the Cass Report on the Tavistock Clinic. You really should be ashamed of yourselves to say you represent women.#DeFundNWCI
— Senator Sharon Keogan (@SenatorKeogan) August 10, 2022
British Olympian, Sharron Davies, responded saying: “They are banned from playing rugby with people who are female. It is dangerous & unfair. Trans women that’s trans women (males) are not banned from playing rugby. Just a category they don’t qualify for. Disgraceful agenda driven statement. You do not represent women!”
Dr Jane Holland, who has been vocal on the issue, also replied saying: “Sport is a physical activity, played with physical bodies & separated into categories (male/female, adult/junior, heavyweight/bantamweight) for fair competition & *safety*. No-one has a “right” to compete in contact sports in an inappropriate category.”
There were scores of responses referring to what was considered the biological facts central to the dispute.
“Biology and the difference between men and women clearly not a strong point with the “womens council ireland”, was one response.
“By supporting this flawed cause you are losing the support of your traditional base. You are willing to jeopardise the wellbeing of women and potentially cause harm by allowing stronger and more powerful transwomen compete on an equal basis,” said one nurse.
By supporting this flawed cause you are losing the support of your traditional base. You are willing to jeopardise the wellbeing of women and potentially cause harm by allowing stronger and more powerful transwomen compete on an equal basis.
— Brídín O' Connor (@bridinoc) August 10, 2022
One woman, Aoife Ní Oistín, had a powerful riposte: “Disappointing. No actual statement centring women from NWCI. My mother cleaned houses & always called your previous body The National Council for the Women of Status. She was damn right!”
Disappointing. No actual statement centring women from NWCI. My mother cleaned houses & always called your previous body The National Council for the Women of Status. She was damn right!
— Aoife Ní Oistín (@AoifeNO) August 11, 2022
“Why didn’t you survey the women who play rugby for a more informed inclusive opinion on this issue. Totally disagree with your statement. You don’t represent this woman in Ireland, instead focusing on those playing rugby who identify as women. Fairness in contact sports key@NWCI,” was another response.
It was difficult to find a supportive tweet in the hundreds of responses to the NWCI statement but Moninne Griffith, co-director of Trans Equality Together, said: “It is setting a dangerous precedent for other Irish sporting organisations to follow their lead in banning trans players”