The High-Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport published its recommendations to achieve a more equitable gender balance in sport. These recommendations apply at the EU level, but also national and local levels, and are addressed to the European Commission, EU Member States, and the national and international sport bodies and grassroots organisations.
The report identifies eight transversal topics to be considered when developing and implementing actions: gender mainstreaming, intersectionality, funding, research and policy monitoring, education, communication, coordinators for gender equality, and men as allies. These topics should be addressed through cross-sectoral cooperation to implement actions and programmes recognizing gender as a transversal theme and addressing its specific issues. Organisations are thus called to integrate appropriate initiatives and raise awareness about gender inequalities.
It also develops six thematic areas of engagement, each of them with specific action recommendations: participation; coaching and officiating; leadership; social and economic aspects of sport; media coverage; and gender-based violence. For instance, the fact that women participate in sport less than men could be addressed by securing equal access to resources and setting up mechanisms to encourage the practice of sport by all girls and women. To improve the number of women in leadership positions, it is important to raise awareness of the value of diverse gender representation as well as committing to concrete measures to ensure gender equality. Labour market gender inequalities should also be properly addressed by securing equal opportunities and establishing proper and transparent processes.
The Eurobarometer on sport and physical activity highlights that women are less likely than men to regularly take part in sport in Europe and are more often inactive. In addition, women’s participation is always lower than men, and the frequency decreases with age. These recommendations are therefore aimed at tackling these disparities so women can be as physically active as regularly as men, with no gender barriers.
Read the full report here.