Since the very beginning of time, women have faced inequalities in their professional fields, educational institutions and households; sport has been no exception. However, there is hope for a more inclusive future in the world of sports. There are many ways to encourage gender equality in the sporting world; from ensuring equal pay, to educating people on what it means to be a gender inclusive organisation.
There is also a need to change the perception of men as superior athletes, as well as the imagery used to portray them. This will help to remove barriers and allow more people, particularly girls and women, to access the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport and physical activity.
It is also essential to support and promote the work of people who are working to achieve gender equality in the sporting industry. This includes putting into place policies and procedures that are free from discrimination and preventing and responding to instances of abuse and harassment. This is essential to enabling women and girls to participate in sport and physical activity without fear of sexual harassment, discrimination or violence.
Another way to encourage gender equality in sport is by increasing funding for women’s teams. This will enable more women and girls to play their sport of choice. Insufficient finance is one of the main obstacles to achieving gender equality in sports. This is because men’s teams tend to obtain the majority of sponsorships and television contracts. As such, women’s teams are underfunded and cannot reach their full potential.