Gender equality has been a long-running issue in societies around the world, and sports are not immune. While there have been great strides made in increasing women’s participation in sport, gender-based discrimination persists. It is critical to address this if we are to achieve gender equity in sports.
The key to success in addressing this is in focusing on both structural and socio-cultural factors. This would include greater funding for gender-equitable programmes and improved facilities, along with tackling the pay gap. It is also important to promote women’s representation in coaching and leadership roles. Equally important, is the implementation of robust, anti-violence and safeguarding policies with a survivor-focused and trauma-informed approach. Finally, it is essential to provide an easy-to-use, secure and anonymous whistleblowing platform to capture incidents of discrimination and harassment.
It is also necessary to rethink how we portray female athletes in the media. There is a tendency to objectify them, emphasising their physical appearance over their athletic achievements and skills. This may discourage girls from participating in sports and reinforce gender stereotypes, which in turn can limit sponsorship opportunities.
There is a strong relationship between sport participation and support for gender equality in sports. This is likely due to increased awareness and exposure to gender inequality in sport, which has been heightened by movements such as the #MeToo and #SeAcabo movements. Nevertheless, this research suggests that some regions have a high level of resistance to progressive gender equality in sports, perhaps as a result of conservative religiosity and older socio-political structures.