MEET THE NEW MISOGYNISTS – Catholic League

Report on Gender Recognition and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The “Women of the Year” Controversy

A recent editorial decision by the U.K. edition of Glamour magazine to feature men who identify as women on its “Women of the Year” cover has initiated a significant debate. This report analyzes the core arguments of the controversy and examines their direct implications for several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Core Arguments and Relation to SDG 5: Gender Equality

The central conflict revolves around the definition of “woman” and the potential impact on efforts to achieve gender equality. Critics argue that awarding this recognition to biological men undermines the progress made in celebrating and advancing women’s achievements.

• Allegations of Misogyny: The act is framed by critics not as inclusive but as misogynistic, arguing it displaces biological women from platforms created to honor them. This challenges the fundamental premise of SDG 5, which aims to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere (Target 5.1).
• Erosion of Women’s Rights: Activists like Kara Dansky, author of The Abolition of Sex, contend that the “transgender agenda” functions as a “men’s rights movement” that harms women and girls. This perspective suggests that such actions directly contravene the objective of SDG 5 to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in all areas of life (Target 5.5).
• Division within Feminist Movements: The issue highlights a schism, where some feminists support the practice while others, including J.K. Rowling, argue that contemporary movements are contributing to one of the “most misogynistic times in recent history.” This internal conflict complicates unified advocacy for SDG 5.

Implications for Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond gender equality, the debate touches upon other critical SDGs related to inequality and institutional integrity.

1. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The controversy presents a complex challenge to Target 10.2, which aims to “empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of…sex…or other status.” While the magazine’s decision may be seen as an attempt at inclusion for transgender individuals, critics argue it creates a new inequality by marginalizing biological women.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Media outlets like Glamour are influential institutions that shape public discourse. The debate questions whether their actions are fostering an inclusive society (Target 16.7) or creating further societal division by failing to balance competing rights and identities. The argument is made that if an institution cannot distinguish between a man and a woman, its capacity to identify and address genuine misogyny is compromised.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Glamour‘s “Women of the Year” awards serves as a critical case study on the complexities of achieving gender equality in the modern era. It demonstrates a significant tension between the goals of inclusivity for gender-diverse individuals and the specific, targeted efforts required to advance the rights, recognition, and leadership of biological women as outlined in SDG 5. The outcome of this discourse has profound implications for how society and its institutions address discrimination, promote equality under SDG 10, and build a just framework for all under SDG 16.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to gender equality, discrimination, and the rights of women, which connects it to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most relevant SDGs are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
  
  This is the most central SDG to the article’s theme. The author’s entire argument revolves around the concept of misogyny and the “evisceration of women’s rights.” The article critiques the practice of honoring transgender women as “Women of the Year,” framing it as a form of discrimination that denies recognition to high-achieving women. This directly engages with the core mission of SDG 5, which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  
  The article discusses what it perceives as a growing inequality where the rights and recognition of one group (women) are being undermined in favor of another (transgender women, whom the author identifies as men). The author argues against a practice that he believes creates an unequal outcome, specifically in the context of public recognition and honors. This aligns with SDG 10’s goal to reduce inequalities based on sex and other statuses.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  
  This goal includes promoting just and inclusive societies and ensuring non-discriminatory policies. The article is a critique of a cultural practice within a media institution (Glamour magazine) that the author deems unjust and discriminatory against women. By calling out what he terms “misogynistic abuse” and a “men’s rights movement,” the author is engaging with broader themes of justice and the enforcement of non-discriminatory norms in society.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   
   The article explicitly frames the issue as discrimination. The author questions, “What’s worse—catcalls or discriminating against women?” He argues that denying “high-achieving women the right to be considered ‘Women of the Year'” in favor of men is a form of discrimination that harms women.
2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   
   While not about political office, the “Women of the Year” award represents a significant form of recognition in public life. The article’s central complaint is that women are being denied this opportunity for public recognition, which is instead being given to individuals the author identifies as men. This speaks to the broader issue of ensuring women have equal opportunities for visibility and honor in the public sphere.
3. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.
   
   The author is challenging a specific practice by Glamour magazine that he believes is discriminatory and leads to an unequal outcome for women. He contrasts this with the practice of Ebony magazine, which featured black individuals for a story on black leaders, implying that this is the correct, non-discriminatory approach that ensures equal opportunity for the designated group.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article is an opinion piece and does not cite official SDG indicators. However, it implies certain metrics that could be used to measure the phenomena it describes:

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.1 (End Discrimination): The article implies an indicator related to the proportion of honors, awards, or roles designated for women that are awarded to biological women. The author’s entire argument is based on the premise that the Glamour “Women of the Year” cover, by featuring transgender women, fails this measure. He uses the Ebony magazine cover as a counter-example, where the racial identity of the honorees matched the group being celebrated, suggesting a standard for measuring authenticity and non-discrimination.
• Implied Indicator for Target 5.5 (Equal Opportunities in Public Life): An implied indicator is the representation of women in high-profile media and cultural platforms. The article suggests that progress would be measured by whether platforms like the “Women of the Year” awards are genuinely celebrating the achievements of women, thereby ensuring their full and effective participation and recognition in public life. The author sees the current trend as a regression on this indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: catholicleague.org