Women have historically been subject to inequities in their work, studies, households and other environments – sport being no exception. Despite efforts to raise awareness of gender equality in sport (GE), gender stereotypes persist. These biases are compounded by the influence of broader society and structural barriers that limit access to sports opportunities, including limited funding for women’s teams, unequal visibility in media and a glass ceiling that excludes women from senior management positions.
Our findings reveal that while the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements have significantly raised awareness about sexism in sports, the problem is still widespread. A direct correlation between the number of people who watch sports and their level of support for GE suggests that more exposure to sporting environments is crucial in changing attitudes.
The educational system must fully commit to advancing gender equality in sport. Curricula insidiously perpetuate stereotypes, categorising sports as ‘vigorous pursuits’ for boys and ‘aesthetic activities’ for girls – an antiquated dichotomy that deprives girls of the many benefits that can be gained from participation in sport. In addition, many girls have few opportunities to play sports due to socio-economic constraints and barriers, such as the fact that girls who are differently abled, immigrant girls or LGBTQ athletes receive little or no investment in their sporting ambitions.
In an effort to address the sexism in sports, many scholars have advocated for a variety of strategies that include educating the public on the issue, creating policies and legislation, fostering women’s leadership and developing mixed and inclusive sport projects. Increasing the visibility of female athletes is also important, as shown by the case of Caster Semenya and other athletes, as it serves to catalyse more sweeping changes in society.