Gender equality in sports is a crucial issue for sport development. Sports are a powerful medium for advancing gender equality because girls who play go on to become women who lead and are in a position to impact a wide range of societies and communities. However, women and girls are still under-represented in key leadership roles, such as governance, coaching, and technical officiating; their participation is limited by the lack of safe and supportive sporting environments; and they suffer from access and treatment discrimination.
The prevailing norm of masculinity in society contributes to the discrimination experienced by female athletes in sports, especially through the exploitation and objectification of women as a result of media coverage that promotes male-dominated sports (Harmon, 2002). Gender stereotypes that dictate what types of sports are appropriate for women and girls, what gender is attributed to each type of sport, and how a woman should look while playing the game can also limit opportunities and influence public perceptions of female athletes. For example, Korn Ferry notes that 32% of parents believe that boys are better at sport than girls, which can discourage young women from participating in sport and perpetuates internalized sexism.
UNESCO’s “Change the Game” conference hosted a session on Gender Equality in Sports, where participants discussed strategies to improve the status of women and girls in sport. Participants highlighted the importance of funding, investment and implementing policies that tackle the root causes of gender inequalities in sport. These include closing the pay gap, ensuring equal access to sports, and promoting female representation in sport governance, coaching, and leadership. In addition, addressing violence and establishing robust safeguarding policies with a survivor-focused approach are essential.