Women in Sports: Breaking Barriers and Achieving Equality

For the past few decades, women have been stepping up and making their mark in various sports. Female athletes are breaking barriers and making headlines across the globe but more importantly, they are looking for equal treatment both inside and outside the field. This blog refers to the history of women in sports, the transitions they have had to undergo and the battle for equitability. 

History of women in sports

Women in sports have had to be resilient for most of their existence and this is well documented in their history. In the early 1900s, society was of the perspective that sports should only be played by men, thus the women who decided to pursue it were bullied and bullied. However, great tennis player Nonnie Carter, track and field athlete Marion Jones and Even swimmer Helen Wainwright decided to ignore the naysayers and demonstrated that women were capable of being successful competitors in the world of sports.

The watershed moment came most likely with the enactment of Title IX in 1972 in the United States whereby it prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally sponsored educational program or activity including sports. Because of this legislation, there was a considerable increase of female involvement in sports as colleges and universities were mandated to grant women equal access to opportunities in athletics. Title IX has been credited more as the birth of the modern women sports movement which enhanced the growth of women athletes in the subsequent periods. 

Inherently Altering the Narrative 

Even though several steps have been made, this is not the end, as there are steps further in the struggle of women in sports. Female sportspersons have broken records, become champions as well as emerged as brand ambassadors across the globe. However, gender inequality persists in their wage amenities, media coverage and opportunities among other things as compared to male athletes.

One of the pay disparity’s most distinct manifestations can be seen in the sporting arena. Female athletes as well as professional women engaging in sports have always faced earning more than two fold less than the average male veteran of the same sport. For example, the U.S. women’s national soccer team has for most of its existence lobbied for proper recognition, despite their resounding dominance over their male counterparts on many international fronts. In 2022, after years of bargaining, legal warfares, the squad signed a deal that advocated for equal pay irrespective of gender to all members playing for the United States Soccer Federation.

The media landscape is another area where women involvement in sports faces a monopoly. Research shows time and time again that the attention and media coverage which women sports receive is a minute fraction in comparison to male sports. This media invisibility nurtures the status quo of discrimination as it reduces the revenue potential of women sports through limiting advertisements. But, there is a shift, The Women’s World Cup and WNBA Finals are gaining traction and exposure which is rather a good sign.

Perfecting Equal Rights

To foster equality in athletics, restructuring of the policies is not enough, it is necessary to promote a change in beliefs. Women's athletics must be treated with the same level of importance and respect as men's games by fans, the media, and the organizations. Such support includes covering women's events and marketing female athletes.

Giant corporations and sponsors have an enormous influence as well. Investing in female athletics is a clear stance that those organizations and companies take on gender equality issues. Nike, Adidas, and Visa are pushing the frontiers of women’s athletics by sponsoring female athletes.

Furthermore, grass-root activities are as important as corporate support in the quest for equal opportunities in the sports world for women. When girls are encouraged to play sports at an early age, coached and mentored, and introduced to competition, they have the potential of becoming a great field of women athletes. Women in Sport, Girls on the Run, and the Women’s Sports Foundation are among such organizations.

The Future of Women in Sports

We've come a long way for women in sports – it is clear that with time, there will be expansion in the opportunities, perks and earnings for women in the area. The advent of the social media made it feasible for women to interact with their anxious fans. With the emergence of social issues in sport including #MeToo as well as the Time’s Up, women have also addressed concerns with regards to the harassment and abuse that women face in the sport, this has also pushed the fight for safe and more participative spaces in the sport.

In addition to that, the trends set by the previous generations are not going to die out. A new cohort of role models is stepping on the scene, many of them are already Olympic champions or a bit older than that, and they went through the entire Olympic cycle collecting their medals one after another. They not just talk about women empowerment; they live it. They are the champions of the national team, and live the truth that women can wear bras both on and off the field.

Conclusion

Indeed, the struggle for gender equality, especially in sports has come a long way. As women continue to shatter stereotypes and mold the position of women in sports, the society has the responsibility to support the women. Supporting women’s sport will in turn help to enhance gender equality. The work for equality in gender and opportunities in sports is not just for women; it is for respect and belief that everyone, irrespective of sex, has the right to compete and win.

Explore: How to Get Involved in Sports: From Amateur to Professional Levels