Creating gender equality in sports is a complex task and involves many elements such as the promotion of female athletes, equal access to training facilities, and the inclusion of women on the boards of sporting organisations. It also requires a shift in the mentality of the people who run and organize sports, including their managers, coaches, trainers, physical education teachers and players.
Athletes can be a powerful force for change if they are encouraged to challenge gender stereotypes and use their positions to create more inclusive environments. It is essential that they are provided with training and support in the form of mentoring, specialized coaching and access to funding for their projects and training. This can be achieved through the creation of a network of individuals who can act as role models for other female athletes.
Gender equality in sports also requires a commitment from the international governing bodies and the media to ensure safe, abuse-free sporting environments. When the BBC hires pundits convicted of assaulting women or the IOC selects athletes who have been linked to misogyny, they undermine their claims that they are pursuing gender equality in sport.
The gendered perceptions of dominance, physical strength and power that are portrayed by men in the sports media must be challenged. In addition, it is crucial to address the intersectionality of identity factors such as socio-economic status, citizenship, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability, all of which contribute to the lack of participation by women in sport.