Gender equality in sports is a major challenge that requires the cooperation of everyone involved in sport. It is important for female athletes to speak out about discrimination and fight for equal pay, while male allies must understand that the stamping out of misogyny and sexism in sport requires their help. In addition, policymakers must address the economic constraints that limit institutional support for gender equality in sports.
Women and girls in sports must be encouraged to participate in all sports, whether they are professional or amateur. They should be offered the same participation opportunities, financial assistance, prizes, and benefits as men. This includes access to facilities, equipment, and coaching. This goal can be achieved by encouraging girls to play sports, establishing youth sports programmes and ensuring that women are represented in leadership positions.
Despite these positive trends, there are still many barriers to the achievement of gender equality in sport. For example, the lack of media coverage of women’s sports may deter fans from engaging with these events (34). Furthermore, it has been argued that the lack of gender-specific sports programming leads to an unintentional promotion of stereotypical ideas about masculinity. This can lead to the notion that sports activities for women are less serious and worthy than those of men.
The most significant milestone in the history of women’s sports was the passage of Title IX in 1972. This law prohibits discrimination based on sex in education and athletic programs that receive federal funding. Since then, women’s sports have progressed. In fact, the 2024 Olympics will be the first to reach gender parity.