Gender equality in sports is a global issue that affects women and girls in many different ways. It can manifest in the form of abuse and discrimination, but also through structural barriers and negative stereotypes. This is why we need to challenge these issues at all levels, ranging from the selection of athletes (as well as coaches and other members of a team), the representation of female role models, and the way in which gender equality in sport is portrayed in media coverage.
The widespread assumption that men are stronger and better at sports than women must be abandoned if we want to make progress toward gender equality in sport. This assumption reinforces the myth that men deserve to be paid more for their sports skills, and it enables sexism in sport. Instead, highlighting the achievements of female sportswomen and exposing people to a wide variety of roles that women can take up in sport—such as coaching, physiotherapy, and refereeing—can help to change the way that people view gender equality in sports.
Interestingly, the results from this study show remarkable geographical differences in attitudes towards gender equality in sports. Nordic countries, including Finland and Sweden, tend to have high ATGEQS scores, which correlate with progressive gender norms and strong welfare policies. On the other hand, Austria, Romania and the Czech Republic have low ATGEQS scores, and their policies reflect resistance to social change and adherence to traditional gender stereotypes.
Moreover, the fact that ATGEQS is highly politicised in some countries suggests that this global issue is at risk of being turned into a political battleground. In this context, ensuring that there are easy and secure ways to report cases of discrimination and harassment is essential. This would require implementing a whistleblowing system that protects the confidentiality of people who choose to come forward with their complaints.