From the Billie Jean King Tennis Open to the WNBA and beyond, women in sports are raising awareness of gender inequality. They want to earn equal pay, get respect, and be treated as equally capable. Unfortunately, they continue to face barriers that hold them back from achieving their goals.
The gender gap in sport is real, and it exists because of sexism, misogyny, and other forms of discrimination that persist throughout the world. Gender equality in sports requires all stakeholders to change the narrative, including sport governing bodies, media, and fans.
In recent years, the world’s major sports organizations have begun to make substantial commitments to the advancement of women’s equality in the sport sector. This has included implementing at least 30% female representation on their boards, ensuring that women’s events are visible in the media, and encouraging more women to pursue careers in sport management and leadership.
While these efforts are laudable, research indicates that a more comprehensive approach is needed to advance gender equality in sports. To do so, research should focus on macro-social factors that impact women’s access to elite sport. This includes studying the effect of national gender regimes on country participation and success in international elite sport.
Moreover, policymakers must support the enactment of legislation that ensures gender equity in sports. For example, in the US, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funds. The Education Department, which enforces this law, recently announced that it will re-examine its rulemaking to prevent categorical bans on transgender students participating in sports consistent with their gender identity.