The Faculty of Sport in collaboration with the Institute for Gender and Development Studies
(IGDS), Mona Unit, hosted a forum on Gender and Diversity Issues in Caribbean Sport on
Monday, May 27 at the Multipurpose Room at Rex Nettleford Hall. The forum was aimed at
creating an enabling and inclusive environment to discuss and look at the way forward, given the
increasing diversity-related issues in regional sport. The forum which coincided with the bi-
annual UWI Games, is part of IGDS’ ongoing initiative to facilitate gender mainstreaming across
The UWI. The event attracted cross-campus athletes, sport administrators, curriculum developer,
retired physician, gender studies majors, academics, gender specialists and diversity in sport
advocates.

The panel comprising sport psychologist, Ms. Olivia Rose Esperance; researcher, Dr. Aldeam
Facey; paralympian, Mrs. Sarah Newland-Martin; Olympic medalist, Ms. Grace Jackson and
Gender Studies major, Mr. Davian Megoo, highlighted practices, trends and development in
Caribbean sport that signal the need for an approach to sport in the region that is just and
equitable. The Caster Semenya ruling and its implication for Caribbean sport, generated much
discussion. Participants pondered whether it is now time for athletes to be categorized based on
their testosterone levels. Dr. Aldeam Facey prompted the forum participants to consider the
concern of doping that could arise from the recommendation for Semenya to take prescription
medication to reduce testosterone levels.

On the matter of stratification, Mrs. Sarah Newland Martin pointed out that stratification existed
in the Paralympian community; however Paralympians who travelled to compete overseas, were
sometimes disappointed to find out that the categorization for Paralympians in the host countries
was different from that in their home countries.

Concerns regarding gender as a component of diversity prompted lively participation primarily
from the Open Campus athletes. Davian Megoo reminded the forum that gender was not limited
to male or female. In her presentation Olivia Esperance identified factors that affect the careers
and financial stability of female athletes in ways that are different from their male counterparts.

Highlighting the predominantly male coaching staff and managers for female athletes in the
region, it was recommended that paid maternity leave be negotiated and pre-planned for female
professional athletes. As an initiative towards equity in Caribbean sport, the granting of paternity
leave to male athletes, coaches and managers was also offered in the open segment. Religious
diversity in sport was also discussed with the example given of provisions made by Sport
Managers for athletes who may be required to select or forego training or competition over
celebrating Ramadan, a Muslim ritual.

The Forum moderated by Dr. Akshai Mansingh, Dean of the Faculty of Sport, is a first step
toward building awareness on gender and diversity issues in Caribbean sport among all players
in The UWI. In the closing remarks, Dr. Claudette Coote-Thompson, Chair of the Forum
Planning Committee and Curriculum Development Specialist in the Faculty of Sport, expressed
appreciation to Dr. Leith Dunn, Head, IGDS, Mona Unit, for her advisory role. The primarily
UWI Games attendees and representatives from the Sport Faculty were encouraged to lead, plan,
coach, play, watch and develop sport curriculum using inclusive lenses.