Gender Equity in Sports: An Urgent Matter

Breaking Down Barriers: The Importance of Advocating for Gender Equity in Sports

As a two-time NCAA Women's Basketball Champion student-athlete with 美国斯坦福大学 (1990 & 1992) and advocate for gender equity in sports, I have seen first-hand the incredible impact that sports can have on women and girls. However, despite the numerous benefits of sports, women and girls still face significant barriers to participation and success. Since the passing of Title IX, there have been impactful advancements in women's sports, including increased participation rates and the creation of professional leagues. However, there is still a noticeable disparity in funding, media coverage, and opportunities between men's and women's sports. That's why promoting gender equity in sports is so important, and why events like National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) are so crucial.

Gender equity in sports is an urgent matter because sports has always had the power to positively impact individuals and communities, and serve as a unifying force in a diverse world. Therefore, sport has an extraordinary opportunity to continue promoting equity and justice in society in this moment. The gender disparities in sports not only limit the potential of female athletes but also sends a damaging message to young girls and women about their worth and capabilities.

The reality of the situation was illuminated recently when the NCAA’s Gender Equity Assessment on Championships offered valid evidence that there is still a large gender gap in participating athletes, as well as in the amount of money spent on men's and women's sports. The report also showed that many female athletes face cultural and gender-based obstacles in gaining access to sports. These findings underscore the urgent need to address gender equity in sports and ensure fair and equitable access to sports.?

Benefits of Gender Equity in Sports

As someone who has dedicated my life to sports, I know that promoting gender equity in sports has countless benefits, including:

1. Physical and Mental Wellness: Participating in sports can help improve physical fitness, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem. By promoting gender equity in sports, women and girls can reap these benefits and lead healthier lives.
2. Economic Empowerment: Women and girls who participate in sports have the opportunity to develop valuable skills and experiences that can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries. By promoting gender equity in sports, we can help create more economic opportunities for women and girls.
3. Social Empowerment: Sports can help break down gender stereotypes and promote gender equity. By promoting gender equity in sports, women and girls can feel empowered and confident, and will have the opportunity to navigate within a more equitable and inclusive society.
4. Inspiring Leaders & Role Models: Women and girls who participate in sports and achieve success are effective leaders and role models for others (and organizations). By promoting gender equity in sports, we can create more opportunities for women and girls to become role models; not only inspiring others to follow in their footsteps but also benefiting communities through their leadership capacity.

Barriers to Gender Equity in Sports

Despite the numerous benefits of gender equity in sports, many barriers still exist that prevent women and girls from participating and achieving success in sports. Some of the key barriers are:

1. Lack of Funding: Women's sports often receive less funding than men's sports, which can limit opportunities and resources for female athletes.
2. Media Coverage: Women's sports often receive less (yet more biased) media coverage than men's sports, which can limit exposure and recognition for female athletes. Insufficient media coverage has a direct correlation on limited access to financial resources.
3. Stereotypes and Bias: Gender stereotypes and biases can influence attitudes and perceptions of women and girls in sports, leading to discrimination and inequality.
4. Lack of Support: Women and girls who participate in sports often lack support from coaches, mentors, and fans. This can limit opportunities and discourage participation.

Data on disparities in funding and media coverage

• According to a 2020 report by the Women's Sports Foundation , women's sports receive just 4% of media coverage despite female athletes making up 40% of high school athletes.
• A study by the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism found that in 2019, only 5.6% of total sports media coverage was dedicated to women's sports, while 94.4% was dedicated to men's sports.
• The same study found that during the 2019 Women's World Cup, only 20% of the airtime was dedicated to women's sports, while 80% was dedicated to men's sports.
• The National Collegiate Athletic Association ( NCAA ) reports that in 2020, men's sports received $10.3 billion in funding, while women's sports received $3.3 billion in funding, a difference of 68%.
• According to the Title IX Gender Equity Report by the National Women's Law Center , women's college teams still receive just a fraction of the resources and opportunities available to men's teams, including funding for scholarships, facilities, and travel expenses.
• In high school sports, female athletes are still often forced to use lower-quality equipment and facilities, receive less funding for their programs, and have less access to qualified coaches, according to the NFHS .

These disparities in funding and media coverage perpetuate the gender gap in sports and make it harder for women and girls to participate and succeed in sports.

Actions to Promote Gender Equity in Sports

To promote gender equity in sports, several actions must be taken, including:

1. Providing Equal Funding: It's essential to provide equal funding for women's and men's sports. This will ensure that female athletes have access to the same resources and opportunities as male athletes. This is why Title IX, a landmark federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, including sports, is so important.
2. Increasing Media Coverage: Increasing media coverage of women's sports can help increase exposure and recognition for female athletes. This can be done by providing more airtime and coverage to women's sports events, as well as by featuring more stories and interviews with female athletes.
3. Addressing Stereotypes and Bias: Addressing stereotypes and biases in sports can help create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women and girls. This can be done by educating individuals about gender equity and promoting positive images of women and girls in sports.
4. Providing Support: Providing support to women and girls who participate in sports can help encourage participation and promote success. This can include support from coaches, mentors, fans, and others who can provide guidance and encouragement.

It's encouraging to see that the participation rates for girls in sports have increased in recent years, thanks in part to civil rights laws like Title IX and initiatives such as National Girls and Women in Sports Day. According to the Women's Sports Foundation, the number of girls playing high school sports has increased by more than 900,000, or approximately 900%, since Title IX was enacted in 1972. Despite this progress, there is still a long way to go to achieve true gender equity in sports. Despite the progress that has been made, women and girls still face significant barriers to participation, including a lack of funding, media coverage, and support.

To address this, it's essential to continue advocating for gender equity in sports and to create more opportunities for girls to participate and succeed in sports. By doing so, we can help empower the next generation of female athletes and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Promoting gender equity in sports is crucial for women and girls, as well as for society as a whole. It's time for those with power, privilege and influence to take action and break down the barriers that prevent women and girls from not only participating in sports but also being part of a thriving enterprise.

We ALL can be champions for change. I encourage you to use your platform & voice to advocate for equal funding, media coverage, and support for female athletes and programs that promote gender equity in sports.

Subscribe to the Unlocking the Club Podcast newsletter to find out how you unlock the club on Gender Equity and more!

Find out more about National Girls and Women in Sports day from the Women's Sports Foundation (www.womenssportsfoundation.org)