Women Speak Tasmania is a non-profit dedicated to protecting the rights of women and girls—has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s inquiry into discrimination and bullying in schools. We hope that our submission points to a deeply worrying trend: the infusion of gender ideology into teacher training, posing risks to students and educators alike.
Key Highlights from the Submission
1. Ideological Overreach in Teacher Training
WST raised alarm over the program “Supporting Sexuality, Sex and Gender Diversity in HPE”, delivered by the lobby group Working It Out on behalf of the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP). The content includes:
- Language Mandates: Teachers expected to adopt student- or political group-prescribed language—such as referring to women as “people with a uterus”—rather than scientifically accurate, sex-based terminology.
- Suppression of Dissent: WST expressed concern that students or groups could compel teachers to use such language, potentially penalising those with conscientious objections.
2. Mental Health and Dehumanization
WST argues that such language is not only misleading but also dehumanising—particularly for girls and young women, potentially provoking mental health distress. They stress that no student should feel threatened or marginalized for expressing traditional or biological views.
3. Political Influence in School Content
The submission warns against allowing political lobby groups to shape school education policy and training. WST calls for DECYP to:
- Stop funding Working It Out to deliver programs to teachers, parents, or students.
- Develop their own training materials internally—free from external ideological influence.
4. Respecting Science, Biology, and Conscience
The submission emphasizes that gender identity theories remain contested. Schools must prioritize biological and scientific clarity in language and policy rather than ideological narratives. WST affirms that gender identity laws are not widely supported in the community and should not be imposed on teachers or students through compulsory training content.
Why This Submission Matters
- Protecting Educator Rights: Teachers shouldn’t face pressure to speak in ways that conflict with their beliefs or scientific understanding.
- Safeguarding Girls’ Well-Being: Using reductive or biologically inaccurate categories can cause emotional harm and confusion.
- Promoting Transparent Governance: Education should be free from undue political or ideological influence; materials should reflect evidence-based standards prepared by professionals.
This submission underscores WST’s commitment to ensuring that Tasmanian schools protect, rather than compromise, the rights of girls and educators. It serves as a vital contribution to the inquiry’s broader mission of combating discrimination and bullying.