[Metrobeans]

M112 - Motion on Equality at the London 2012 Olympic Games, TSR Labour

This House believes that it is a huge achievement for equality around the world that the London 2012 Olympic Games, are the first Olympic Games in history to have women participating in them from all the participating countries. This is an achievement that the House welcomes and congratulates all nations competing in these events for making this achievement possible.

[Hopple]

True equality would be putting men and women to compete directly against each other

But yeah, it's good progress

[JPKC]

Describing that as gender equality is a bit premature, but overall, yes, this is a symbolic shuffle forward.

[tehFrance]

Why do you need a motion about equality? I see no difference from the last olympics.

[Melancholy]

Aye.

(Original post by tehFrance)
Why do you need a motion about equality? I see no difference from the last olympics.

The difference is given explicitly in the motion.

[Hopple]

(Original post by Melancholy)
Aye.

What is there to say "Aye" to?

[Morgsie]

This is a Statement not a Motion, this is similar to the Hollande Motion (same thing)

[toronto353]

(Original post by Morgsie)
This is a Statement not a Motion, this is similar to the Hollande Motion (same thing)

While it is, there is scope for debate in this motion - is there more that we can do to achieve gender equality? Is there true gender equality in the Olympics? How does gender equality in the Olympics compare to gender equality here? Is gender equality in the Olympics merely a show for countries such as Saudi Arabia? There are many ways this motion could go and so, while it is a statement, there is an element of debate to it which the Hollande one also had, but internetguru's didn't.

[Morgsie]

(Original post by toronto353)
While it is, there is scope for debate in this motion - is there more that we can do to achieve gender equality? Is there true gender equality in the Olympics? How does gender equality in the Olympics compare to gender equality here? Is gender equality in the Olympics merely a show for countries such as Saudi Arabia? There are many ways this motion could go and so, while it is a statement, there is an element of debate to it which the Hollande one also had, but internetguru's didn't.

Doesn't help when your Colleagues abolish the Equalities Office. And yes there is a debate on Gender Equality

[toronto353]

(Original post by Morgsie)
Doesn't help when your Colleagues abolish the Equalities Office. And yes there is a debate on Gender Equality

Now that is taking it off the point I was making, but also demonstrates that there is debate. You could use this motion to debate the relative advantages and disadvantages of closing the Equalities Office and so, as you yourself have demonstrated, this is a motion precisely because it has scope for debate.

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

Tell me, where are the male synchro swimmers?

Yes, it's good to see every nation have male and female athletes but matters are not yet equal and I'm more excited by Pistorius' participation. The true divide in the Olympics isn't male/female but able-bodied / disabled. These games are a true leap forward in that regard. We can all welcome gender parity when men and women compete in every sport.

[tehFrance]

(Original post by Melancholy)
The difference is given explicitly in the motion.

You state the difference... I don't see it in reality.

[SciFiRory]

I don't see how this does anything to help the vast majority of women in many of these countries, beyond giving the regimes that oppress them propaganda to keep them down with anyway...

[thunder_chunky]

Great. Now we truly can have a kitchen based event in the games.

[eff01]

Mr Speaker, this is a huge step for equality around the world and gives millions of people hope, that they can also participate in the Olympic Games regardless of their gender.

Mr Speaker, countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia which are traditionally conservative nations have sent female athletes to compete at these games, which is a huge step in the right direction.

I was reading earlier, Mr Speaker, that due to the conservative nature of society in Saudi Arabia, the government was actively encouraging women to nominate themselves to be part of the national team in the lead up to these games. Yes, Saudi Arabia has long way to go on many issues, but the fact that the government is encouraging more females to take an interest in sport and train for national selection is a hugely encouraging step and the House should welcome this.

I would also like to add Mr Speaker, that whilst the government is concerned with condemning Coca-Cola, this opposition is concerned with the real stories of these games, and the participation of women from every country is just one of them.

[Birchington]

Somewhat pointless motion, but it is great to see gender equality at last.

[Lipvig]

This is something we should be proud off, although technically one nation represented at the Oympics, South Sudan, has only one candidate, who is male, although this must be excused as he is running as an independent due to the lack of a South Sudan Olympic committee.

[RoryS]

(Original post by Morgsie)
This is a Statement not a Motion, this is similar to the Hollande Motion (same thing)

Well, could you tell me and eff01 how we can make this more motion like? I think this motion is a good one and highlights a key step in equality.

(Original post by Birchington)
Somewhat pointless motion, but it is great to see gender equality at last.

It's not pointless as such, it serves a purpose, recognising a good step forward for the Olympics in terms of equality.

[Hopple]

(Original post by RoryS)
Well, could you tell me and eff01 how we can make this more motion like? I think this motion is a good one and highlights a key step in equality.



It's not pointless as such, it serves a purpose, recognising a good step forward for the Olympics in terms of equality.

Make it a motion by suggesting ways to improve it. Clearly just having women turn up for your country doesn't mean you haven't intentionally tried to dissuade those women every step of their journey.

[RoryS]

(Original post by Hopple)
Make it a motion by suggesting ways to improve it. Clearly just having women turn up for your country doesn't mean you haven't intentionally tried to dissuade those women every step of their journey.

Okay, I agree. When we take this forward, we can include this.

(Original post by eff01)
QFA

A suggestion above.