As the Olympics approach, the world’s best athletes will be showcasing their incredible skills and unmatched potential. And, while there has been progress in achieving gender equality in sports both on and off the field, there is still work to do.
One key area that must be addressed is the way sports programs are structured. When a female athlete puts in the same amount of effort as her male counterpart, they should be entitled to equal participation opportunities and financial assistance from their sport’s governing body. In addition, women and girls should be able to access the same facilities and be treated in the same manner as men and boys, which is why the passage of Title IX was so important.
Another key issue is the role of coaches and trainers and their ability to create safe sporting environments. When coaches, trainers and team managers have a negative attitude towards gender equality or are unable to create safe environments for women athletes, they can contribute to the discrimination against them. This can be the case even if these individuals have a high level of professional competence and a good working knowledge of sport.
Gender equality in sports also involves providing women with the tools, support and visibility they need to succeed. This includes implementing policies and creating supportive cultures, training sports media professionals to cover female athletes, and making sure that girls and women are not stereotyped in promotional material.