2024 Judicial Reform Cup｜Gender-Friendly Statement

In 2023, the Judicial Reform Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the JRF) co-hosted a debate tournament for the first time with the Chinese Debate Promotion Association (CDPA) and the Wenhua High School Debate Club. Through this collaboration, we came to understand that the culture of Taiwan's Oregon-style debate activities is thriving in contemporary times, nurturing vibrant and critical public discourse. At the same time, this field exhibits a unique and highly complex landscape of interpersonal interactions.

Regarding gender, the report "A Preliminary Exploration of the Trajectories and Gender Experiences of Cisgender Women in Taiwan's Debating Circle," published in December 2023 by the Debate and Gender team, pointed out negative phenomena such as low percentages of female debate judges, inappropriate gender-based rewards and constraints, and the condoning of sexual harassment. This demonstrates that due to the accumulated and intersecting power dynamics within the debating circle, efforts to promote gender-friendliness remain insufficient.

The essence of gender-based harassment and violence lies in unequal power relations. Over its 29 years of establishment, the JRF has long been committed to monitoring the judiciary and deeply understands that dismantling power imbalances and perfecting a fair and friendly environment requires systematic efforts. We bear an unshirkable responsibility for the realization of gender equality and the promotion of related issues during the 2024 Judicial Reform Cup tournament.

We hope to transform the insights from the report into momentum for practical change through the arrangement of gender-friendly measures during the tournament. To promote substantive equality of gender status, eliminate gender discrimination, and uphold human dignity, the JRF hereby issues the following statement. The co-organizers of the Judicial Reform Cup, the CDPA and the Wenhua High School Debate Club, respond by promoting and enforcing this statement:

2024 Judicial Reform Cup Gender-Friendly Statement

1. Judges invited to this tournament shall strictly adhere to gender-friendly principles regarding, but not limited to, the following matters:

（1）For preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, and semifinals, among the 3 judging seats in each match, at least 1 judge shall be of any given gender; for the final round featuring 5 judges, at least 2 judges shall be of any given gender.
（2）Disqualifications for judges:

1. Individuals falling under any of the following circumstances shall not serve as judges:
   1) Those whose cases have been officially registered for investigation or substantiated through investigation by relevant committees established pursuant to the Gender Equity Education Act, the Gender Equality Employment Act, the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, and gender equity regulations of various schools or workplaces.
   2) Those involved in sex- and gender-related cases who have been investigated or prosecuted by a prosecutor, or convicted by a final court judgment.
   3) Others identified by the tournament organizing committee as having engaged in inappropriate speech or conduct related to sex or gender.
2. If any of the circumstances in the preceding paragraph occur after the announcement of the list of judges and prior to the tournament, the tournament organizing committee shall replace the judge.

2. To establish a debating environment conducive to the survival of contestants with diverse traits, uniforms are not required for contestants in this tournament, provided their attire is neat. We urge team leaders and instructors of all schools to ensure that regulations concerning contestants' trousers, skirts, shoes, and other attire and grooming accessories strictly adhere to the principles of gender-friendliness and non-discrimination for all attendees.

3. In light of past experiences with sex and gender discrimination, harassment, and violence, although the tournament organizing committee does not provide accommodation, we urge team leaders and instructors of all schools to fully communicate regarding spatial arrangements, respect contestants' wishes, consider the needs of diverse genders, and seek resources and protection to provide spatial separation, thereby mitigating personal safety concerns as much as possible. Contestants shall respect each other's physical and verbal boundaries during their stay and comply with relevant gender equality regulations.

4. In response to the menstrual equity movement, the tournament organizing committee will set up a menstrual product supply box, which contestants in need are welcome to take from freely. Please refer to the program booklet for the location of the supplies.

5. Appeals and Relief:

（1）Given that instructional resources in the debating circle have historically been scarce and intersect with vulnerable conditions such as gender and geographical location, the structural dilemma faced by victims seeking help when sex and gender discrimination, harassment, and violence occur is intensified. We urge instructors and senior peers of all schools to actively take immediate and effective corrective and remedial measures upon receiving or hearing of any incidents of sex and gender discrimination, harassment, and violence.

（2）A "Written Statement Prohibiting Workplace Sexual Harassment" will be posted at the tournament venue. Should any sexual harassment incident occur during the tournament, the tournament organizing committee will comply with the JRF Workplace Sexual Harassment Prevention Measures, Appeal, and Handling Guidelines, the JRF Sexual Harassment Prevention Appeal, Investigation, and Handling Guidelines, and relevant regulations.

（3）The appeal channels for this tournament are as follows: Appeal Hotline: Chief Judge Chang Hua-Che 0932-725-962 or CDPA Secretary Wu Chia-Jung 0921-238-140; Appeal Email: helpme@jrf.org.tw.

6. Recognizing that overcoming the dilemmas of sex and gender discrimination, harassment, and violence requires continuously seeking to enrich resources both inside and outside clubs, in order to encourage schools participating in the Judicial Reform Cup to establish their own club gender-friendly policies and gender equity guidelines, any school debate club that has participated in the Judicial Reform Cup may directly contact the JRF within half a year after the conclusion of the tournament if they have needs for gender-related educational training or regulatory reviews. The JRF will directly provide or match relevant assistance.

7. Much of the content of this statement references the Debate and Gender team's report on the collective shared experiences of female contestants facing gender-based differential treatment. To encourage schools to continue discussions through club class discussions and holding competitions using this as a debate motion, and to take action together in constructing a gender-friendly debating circle, the tournament organizing committee will also print physical copies of the report to provide to contestants from all schools for reference and reading.