Despite the significant gains that female athletes have made, gender equality in sports remains a challenge. It is essential that women and girls are given equal access to the joys, fulfilment, and lifelong health benefits that sport can offer.
In many countries, there are cultural and political barriers that prevent women from participating in sport. Social prejudices such as the perception that intense contact sports are unsuitable for feminine bodies limit women’s participation in some sports and reinforce stereotypes of men as ‘natural’ athletes. The allocation of resources and support for sport is influenced by traditional views that favour so-called men’s sports, on the assumption that they attract more spectators and generate greater revenue. This reinforces male-dominated decision-making structures in sports organisations and limits the number of women in leadership roles.
The results of this Eurobarometer survey indicate large regional and socio-political differences in attitudes towards gender equality in sports. Highest scores are found in Finland and Sweden, which have long-standing welfare models with a strong focus on GE. This is consistent with previous research, indicating that high levels of acceptance of GE in sport are associated with progressive gender norms and positive attitudes towards women in general. Conversely, Austria, Romania and the Czech Republic have low scores, suggesting that resistance to GE in sport is shaped by traditional gender norms and older socio-political structures.
This lack of interest is also partly explained by the low media coverage of women’s sports, limiting the visibility of female athletes and making it more difficult for fans to develop an attachment to them. It is therefore crucial that the media promotes women’s sports, enabling girls and women to connect with role models who can inspire them to participate in sport.