The goal of gender equality must be pursued in a strategic manner by sports organisations, and governing bodies like the International Olympic Committee. Women who put in an equivalent amount of effort should be entitled to the same participation opportunities, financial assistance, prize money and privileges that men get.
Gender inequality in sport is rooted in social norms and attitudes. These beliefs and practices, in turn, can lead to internalized sexism that can have a detrimental effect on the lives of female athletes.
In order to progress towards gender equality, the assumptions that people have about who should play sports must be challenged. For example, many people believe that men are better athletes than women, due to the fact that men have a stronger build and are more likely to be faster than women. This assumption is harmful, as it teaches young girls that they are not suitable for sports, and that engaging in unladylike sports could cause them to become infertile.
Another way to fight for gender equality in sports is to increase funding and political support for women’s sport. This can help to improve facilities, encourage more girls and young women to participate in sport and raise awareness of the importance of advancing gender equality in sports.
Lastly, it is important to use an easy-to-use and secure whistleblowing platform that can capture discrimination and harassment complaints in sports organizations. This can enable whistleblowers to report issues anonymously and safely, without fear of retaliation or loss of access to funds.