Gender equality has long been an issue in society and sports is no exception. Women are still not given the same attention as men in sports, even if they are equally good or better at what they do, and that unequal treatment can lead to a lack of motivation and decreased performance. The lack of equal attention can also be interpreted as discrimination, which can reduce self-esteem and future expectations for achievement. In addition, it can encourage girls and women to choose fewer athletic pursuits if they believe that sport is not for them.
Several strategies can help to address gender inequalities in sports, including implementing gender equality policies, training female coaches and managers, providing more opportunities for women to participate in sports, encouraging gender-inclusive language and imagery, and promoting coed sports. Another important step is addressing gender-based violence in sports and prioritizing survivor-focused, trauma-informed responses.
Achieving gender equality in sports will require both men and women working together to combat misogyny and sexism. This is particularly true in the sporting realm where male allies who understand that it will take more than just them to change the culture of sports and make it more welcoming to women will be essential. It will also require young people to stop being socialized into gender norms at a very early age, so that they have more freedom to decide what interests them, including sports. Lastly, the perception that men are superior athletes will need to be abandoned, as that is a very outdated concept and one that will need to be changed in society as a whole before it can be changed in sport.