1. Introduction
1. The world of sport can be a
place of empowerment and achievement for all, in addition to its
benefits for health. It can be a way to promote diversity and equality.
By allowing broad participation, regardless of gender, social and
economic status, sport, both professional and non-professional,
can contribute to shifting gender norms, social cohesion and integration
in society and therefore have a universal dimension which goes beyond the
quest for performance.
2. Sport can be a source of inspiration for change, at a personal
or societal level. In recent decades, the world of sport has gradually
opened up to women and girls, including in sports previously supposed
to be the preserve of men. Tremendous progress has been made. Yet
female athletes are still not considered equal to male athletes.
Inequalities in pay, access and status can make it difficult for
women to pursue a career in sport. Women are still not recognised
in all their diversity in sport.
3. Sports careers are time-limited for all athletes because of
physical performance. The issue of work-life balance is an additional
barrier to longer careers for sportswomen. Serena Williams, writing
about her decision, after a brilliant career in tennis, to leave
the sport to devote herself to her family, observed: “Believe me,
I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I
don’t think it’s fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this
because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing
the physical labor of expanding our family”.
4. Female clubs are seen as being less important and offering
less potential in terms of advertising and generating revenue, and
so have more limited financial resources. As a result of this vicious
circle, there are fewer opportunities for female athletes to progress
and demonstrate their talent. Throughout Europe, women are under-represented
in decision-making bodies, including in the world of sport. Measures
have been taken to increase their participation and representation
but gender balance is not yet a reality at this level.
5. The Council of Europe has been working for many years to combat
discrimination in the field of sport. In 2015, the Committee of
Ministers adopted its Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)2 on gender mainstreaming
in sport.
The European Sports Charter
was revised at the end of 2021 and
clearly affirms the principles of non-discrimination and gender
equality. Equality in sport will be one of the topics discussed
at the Ministerial Conference on Sport to be held in October 2022
in Antalya. A high level of political commitment is needed, in particular
on occasions like this, in order to make change happen.
6. Gender-based stereotypes and discrimination are still common
in the world of sport and have an impact on how athletes are perceived
in the eyes of the public. Characteristics recognised as masculine,
such as physical strength, are valued. Strong women athletes are
seen as possessing “masculine” characteristics, because strength
and masculinity are still closely connected in our societies. The
media tend to reinforce these stereotypes and to categorise athletes.
Gender inequality and gender-based stereotyping in sport are in
fact merely a mirror of the gender inequalities and discrimination
present in society as a whole. Discourse aimed at diminishing women
is particularly common in the field of sport. Hate speech targeting
female athletes is very prevalent, including online.
7. The world of sport is not immune to violence against women
and girls. Here too, a “Me Too” movement has emerged, with survivors
coming forward from a worryingly large number of sports associations
and federations. The authority that trainers wield over young female
athletes and their specific role in relation to the youngsters can
create a conspiracy of silence around abuse.
It is of crucial importance that sports
federations respond to claims of abuse and provide support to victims,
and that perpetrators of violence be prosecuted.
8. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the progress
achieved by women in the world of sport.
It has served to weaken certain sports
federations. The public health emergency has effectively pushed women’s
participation in sport down the list of priorities and some resources
set aside for this have been reallocated to other activities.
The pandemic has also revived gender
stereotypes about the traditional roles of women and men in society.
2. Scope of the report and working methods
9. The motion for a resolution
from which this report stems refers to Recommendation CM/Rec(2015)2
of the Committee of Ministers to member States on gender mainstreaming
in sport, Assembly
Recommendation 1701
(2005) “Discrimination against women and girls in sport”
and
Resolution 2131 (2016) “Sport for all: a bridge to equality, integration and
social inclusion”.
10. I have analysed the work carried out by the Council of Europe
in its project “All in: Towards gender balance in sport”,
which involved a major data collection
campaign focusing on the place of women in sport.
11. I looked for information on the composition of decision-making
bodies in sport, the remuneration of women athletes, status, existing
measures to help athletes achieve work-life balance, and action
taken to prevent and combat gender-based stereotypes and discrimination
in sport. I also studied gender mainstreaming strategies. These
issues need to be seen through an intersectional lens and examined
as to whether specific measures have been taken to address the difficulties
women with a minority background, or women with disabilities, might
encounter in the world of sport. I have attached particular importance
to the issue of discrimination against LBTI athletes, who are still
too often stigmatised, criticised and sidelined.
12. There can be no gender equality if no action is taken to tackle
gender-based violence. I therefore also looked at the “Me Too” movement
as it has developed in the world of sport. Violence against women
in sport has made news headlines and investigations have been launched
in several sports federations. On 10 November 2020 the Parliamentary
Network Women Free from Violence held a webinar on preventing and combating
violence against women in the world of sport
which
provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the matter with Sarah
Abitbol, figure skater, Dagmar Schumacher, Director, Brussels Office,
UN Women, Pierre-Emmanuel Luneau-Daurignac who made the ARTE documentary
“Violences sexuelles dans le sport, l'enquête”, Nadezda Knorre,
Vice-President, WomenSport International, Béatrice Barbusse, lecturer, Université
Paris-Est Créteil, Secretary General of the French Handball Federation,
and Joyce Cook, former Chief Social Responsibility and Education
Officer at FIFA (International Federation of Association Football). The
world of sport is not immune to violence or discrimination and is
known to be a male-dominated environment, as evidenced by the multiple
levels of discrimination faced by female athletes.
13. I conducted virtual bilateral consultations as part of my
preparatory work. In particular, I held an online meeting with Cianán
Russell, ILGA-Europe; Francesca Sanders, TGEU (Transgender Europe);
Ilaria Todde, EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community (EL*C); Hugh Torrence,
European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF); and Sarah Townsend,
European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF) on 7 June 2022.
I also held an online meeting with FIFA representatives including
Joyce Cook, now Senior Advisor to the President’s Office (Safe Sport
Entity); Annaliza Tsakona, Senior Public Affairs Manager; Hala Ousta,
Senior Diversity and Accessibility Manager; and Gerd Dembowski,
Diversity and Anti-Discrimination Officer on 7 June 2022. Lastly, I
was also able to speak with Sophie Kwasny, Executive Secretary of
the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, and Francine Hetherington
Raveney, Deputy Executive Secretary, on 1 June 2022.
14. The committee held a hearing on 21 June 2022 with the participation
of Nagin Ravand, who spoke about her experiences as a young woman
of Afghan origin now working as a coach in Denmark, Sarah Townsend, co-president
of the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation and member of the
European Union’s High Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport (2022),
and Irena Guidikova, Head of the Children's Rights and Sport Values
Department, Directorate General of Democracy of the Council of Europe.
I also had the opportunity to talk to Ms Ravand at a bilateral meeting.
15. I wish to thank Konul Nurullayeva (Azerbaijan, EC/DA), committee
member, for her written contribution on the situation in Azerbaijan
and on the importance of combating discrimination and ensuring equal
pay for female and male coaches. I also received written contributions
from ILGA Europe, containing information prepared by ILGA, TGEU,
EL*C, OII and EGLSF, and from FIFA and I would like to thank them
for their hard work in this area and the information provided.
3. Preventing
and combating violence against women in sport
16. Preventing and combating violence
against women in sport is vital in the push for gender equality.
A growing number of survivors are speaking out and sharing their
experiences, thus helping to lift the taboo around violence. Some
countries have also had “Me Too” movements in various sectors, including
sport.
17. During our webinar, Sarah Abitbol, a French figure skater,
explained how she felt for years after being sexually abused by
her trainer when she was a teenager. She explained the power he
had over her and why for a long time she had been unable to talk
about it. She believed that publishing the testimonies of survivors of
abuse could help girls at risk of, or experiencing, violence. She
also stressed the feelings of shame and guilt she had endured, and
the need to warn young women and girls about the risks.
18. Violence against women and girls in the world of sport can
take many forms: instances of psychological, physical and sexual
violence have been widely reported. During the webinar, Ms Béatrice
Barbusse, Secretary General of the French Handball Federation, made
the point that domination and sexism were institutionalised in sport.
In her view, there was a triple domination in sport: male over female,
adults over young people, and persons with authority over persons
under authority. She explained that the climate of trust that developed
with trainers provided fertile ground for abuse.
19. For this reason, it is crucial to provide training on preventing
and combating violence against women to all actors in the field
of sport. Prevention plans should be prepared by every sports federation.
In addition, there should be more women in sports leadership and
coaching. Efforts should be made to ensure the safety of all, women
and men, at sporting events.
20. Joyce Cook, CBE, OBE, former Chief Social Responsibility and
Education Officer at FIFA, outlined the organisation’s activities
to prevent violence against women and said it intended to do more
on this important topic. FIFA has created the Guardian's Programme,
a violence prevention training scheme in which almost 5000 people
have enrolled. In order to provide a response at international level,
FIFA has called for the creation of a new multi-sport international
agency, working on preventing and combating violence against women
in sport. Cases of abuse would be reported to this independent entity,
which would offer victim/survivor centred support and provide protection
for whistle-blowers. The new body is initially expected to focus
on combating violence against children in sport. It will mobilise
expertise and support to ensure safe reporting, trauma informed
investigations, access to care support services, and effective remedy.
It is still at the development stage and is anticipated to take
the form of a foundation.
4. Discrimination
against LBTI women
21. LBTI women suffer from invisible
and multiple discrimination in the world of sport. Their families
may not support them or may actively oppose them participating in
sport. They may be rejected upon arrival in a team. Their performance
is constantly questioned. The media peddle negative stereotypes
about LBTI athletes, who are apt to be the target of hate speech,
harassment and violence. Successful female athletes also have to contend
with media reports and speculation about their sexual orientation.
All this implies negative stereotypes against LBTI people.
22. In general, all women are subject to standards in the field
of sport, whether as regards their body, behaviour or performance.
There is what may be termed a hyper-sexualisation of female athletes.
In the opinion of Ilaria Todde, when non-heterosexual women excel
in sport, their success is considered unfeminine. According to her,
“some sports are perceived as not being feminine, or for lesbians,
and are criticised or denigrated.” It is not uncommon to hear politicians
complaining about funds being allocated to “lesbian” clubs. Women's
sports, in all their diversity, are considered to be of less interest
and value than others. Discrimination against women in all their
diversity is deeply entrenched in the field of sport and more efforts
must be made to remedy it.
23. Team membership can also be difficult for LBTI athletes, who
may be rejected or asked to deny their own identity. LBTI athletes
are considered by some to be a danger to their teammates. They are
discriminated against because of their gender identity and sexual
orientation, in an environment that is less friendly to female athletes
than to male ones. Speaking to ILGA Europe, an Icelandic female
athlete said: “Being a woman meant being less than the men, which
on the whole meant getting less experienced coaches, less money,
less respect and interest from the community/club. Being a queer
woman was at times shrouded in silence.”
24. I should emphasise that discrimination against LBTI women
has a negative impact on all women, and that combating discrimination
against LGBTI people in general is the business of everyone.
25. According to the former UN Special Rapporteur on the right
to health, people perceived as outside the dominant gender framework,
namely transgender or intersex people, continue to encounter deeply discriminatory
treatment and restrictions in sport, in addition to harassment,
physical and verbal violence, marginalisation and a lack of welcoming
and safe spaces for participation.
26. The situation of transgender athletes also deserves attention.
During our meeting, Francesca Sanders from the organisation Transgender
Europe pointed out that 75% of transgender people had experienced discrimination
in sport. A quarter had been physically abused. According to the
Outsport survey report, presented by Sarah Townsend, 45% of trans
people had stopped sports because they felt uncomfortable, and 53%
of trans women felt excluded from particular sports as a result
of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. There are many
barriers to transgender women's participation in sports competitions.
The Olympic Games have been open to transgender people since 2004
under strict conditions, including a requirement to have undergone
surgery. Athletes were obliged to have reassignment surgery and
at least two years of hormone therapy in order to be eligible to
compete. In practice, however, no country had previously sent transgender
athletes to participate in the Olympics. Since January 2016, there
has been no need to undergo surgery or two years of hormone therapy.
Male-to-female transgender athletes, however, must demonstrate that
their testosterone levels have been below 10 nanomoles per litre
for at least one year before the competition. If male-to-female
transgender athletes do not meet these requirements, they can compete
in a male category.
27. On 16 November 2021, the IOC published its Framework on fairness,
inclusion and non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity
and sex variations, in order to “promote a safe and welcoming environment
for everyone involved in elite-level competition, consistent with
the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter”.
This
framework should be transformed into a regulation by the national
committees. The Framework affirms that human rights must be respected
and recognises “the interest of everyone (…) to participate in fair competitions
where no participant has an unfair and disproportionate advantage
over the rest.”
28. In the name of fairness, a woman with so-called “masculine”
characteristics could be “too strong” to compete with female athletes,
whereas a man with so-called “feminine” characteristics, if less
successful than other male athletes, will not pose a problem or
raise any issues relating to fairness because male athletes will be
sure to win against that person. Male-to-female transgender athletes
have been widely attacked in the media and their place in sport
called into question.
29. Femininity tests are conducted regularly to prevent the risk
of gender cheating. Such tests violate many internationally protected
human rights, such as the right to privacy, dignity, health, non-discrimination
and freedom from abuse, as well as labour rights. They should no
longer be permitted.
30. The intersectional dimension should not be overlooked. According
to Ilaria Todde (EuroCentralAsian Lesbian* Community), LBTI athletes
of colour, of African descent for example, are particularly stigmatised.
The captain of the Italian national volleyball team is a black,
immigrant, lesbian woman. Her coming out has attracted spiteful
comments, especially in the media.
31. The situation of intersex people is also a source of concern.
According to Cianán Russell, there is a structural interphobia at
play. Intersex people avoid doing sport for fear of inviting embarrassing
questions about their bodies. They do not feel safe in the world
of sport.
32. The road to ending discrimination against LBTI athletes and
ensuring equal access and participation for LBTI people will be
a long one. At our hearing Sarah Townsend condemned discrimination
based on gender, gender identity, sex characteristics, origin and
skin colour, as well as sexism in sport.
33. We have also seen anti-gender movements in Europe and the
United States seizing on the subject of sport and calling for LBTI
athletes to be excluded and denied recognition. Their influence
is growing and it is important that we respond to this. Sports associations
should also support and include LBTI athletes. Discrimination against
transgender athletes should be addressed in a dedicated Assembly
report.
5. Gender
pay gap
34. There is a significant gender
pay gap in most, if not all, sports. Professional athletes earn
their income from a combination of salary, bonuses for participation
in competitions, prize money and commercial sponsorship. There are
differences in pay for each of these categories in almost every
sport. In 2017, Sporting Intelligence compared the 12 best paid
women’s sports leagues with the 12 best paid men’s sports leagues.
The study found
that, on average, men in elite team sports earned 101 times the
amount that women in elite sports made.
35. Female athletes are believed to attract less media attention
and smaller audiences, so women’s sports tournaments are seen as
being less lucrative than male competitions. Male athletes also
feature more in advertising campaigns and therefore earn more from
these sources. Media attention and a wide fan base can lead to commercial
sponsorship contracts.
36. The Gender Equality Review Project of the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) recommended that National Olympic Committees and
International Sports Federations “establish mechanisms to address inequalities
between genders in prize money or other athlete payments.”
The
2015 final report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee
on sport and human rights recommended that States ensure “fair and equal
distribution of sport sponsorships by gender”.
Research from 2019 shows that a staggering
93% of the total market volume of direct corporate financial sports
sponsoring was directed at the male sport industry, leaving only
a 7% share for women’s sports.
5.1. Tennis:
a gender equal sport?
37. I read with interest the Forbes
annual ranking of the highest-paid athletes in the world. It featured
no women in 2018, one woman in 2019 (Serena Williams) and two women
in 2020 (Serena Williams and fellow tennis player Naomi Osaka).
Tennis would therefore seem to be one of
the most gender equal sports, as men and women players in the four
Grand Slam tournaments earn the same prize money, play in the same competition
formats and on the same tennis courts.
Women’s tennis
tournaments are broadcast on television and female tennis players
are regularly invited to take part in advertising campaigns.
5.2. Major
discrepancies in income in football
38. In recent years, several football
teams have campaigned for equal pay.
In 2017, Norway was the first country to
grant equal pay to its men's and women's national football teams.
14 other FIFA member national associations
have followed suit: Iceland (2018), New Zealand (2018), Finland
(2019), Australia (2019), Brazil (2020), Nepal (2020), Sierra Leone
(2020), England (2020), Sweden (2020), Republic of Ireland (2021), Switzerland
(2022), Spain (2022), the Netherlands (2022) and the United States
(2022) Changes are also expected in Germany, where Chancellor Olaf
Scholz has called for “equal bonuses for men and women in German
squads competing in football tournaments”.
In 2019, Dutch football club AFC Ajax signed
an agreement which guarantees women players the same minimum wage
and benefits as men.
39. A 2020 report by FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional
Footballers) showed that while the annual wages paid by women’s
clubs are rising, there are still major discrepancies between men’s
and women’s pay.
Female football
players’ pay comes from various sources and is irregular. The lack
of playing opportunities and the impact that can have on income
forces many female professional players to sign for multiple teams.
They
are also often forced to seek part-time work in order to supplement
their income from football.
40. A 2019 survey of 3 000 female football players in 33 different
countries showed that 89% of the respondents were considering leaving
the game early. The reasons given included low pay, the absence
of childcare, precarious working conditions and lack of contractual
stability. Where players stated that they were paid to play, 42%
said they did not get enough to cover their expenses.
Sports clubs should offer appropriate working
conditions and benefits to female athletes, to make sure that they
can continue playing and develop their capacities as professional
athletes.
41. Both UEFA and FIFA have acknowledged that gender inequality
is a major issue in the world of football.
In July 2019, the President
of FIFA announced several initiatives to boost women’s professional football,
including the creation of a FIFA Club World Cup for women and a
FIFA Women’s World League, the expansion of the FIFA Women’s World
Cup from 24 teams to 32 and a doubling of investment in women’s football
over the next four-year cycle. The last women’s football world cup
was a great success when it was broadcast on TV.
Football
is becoming increasingly popular among girls in Europe, and has
been one of the favourite team sports for girls in the United States
for some time.
42. In 2016, FIFA’s statutes were amended to include provisions
on gender equality and human rights. In its 2017 Human Rights Policy,
FIFA reaffirms its commitment to non-discrimination and states that
it places particular emphasis on identifying and addressing differential
impacts based on gender and on promoting gender equality and preventing
all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment.
43. With the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 was a very difficult year
for sports clubs and federations, with fewer opportunities to organise
matches and broadcast them. This had a knock-on effect on female
players’ pay, with several women’s clubs seeing a drop in the funding
they received, as they were considered less important than men’s
clubs, or were not yet classified as “professional”. FIFA has taken
specific measures to support women’s clubs in the wake of the pandemic.
44. At its first part-session in 2022, the Assembly adopted
Resolution 2420 (2022) “Football governance: business and values”. It considered
that “protecting underage players and promoting gender equality,
as well as fighting discrimination on any grounds, should be priorities
for all levels of the wider sports movement and of football organisations
in particular. A greater proportion of available resources should
be allocated to measures to achieve these goals”. It clearly states
that “sport plays a pivotal role in promoting gender equality since
its symbolic value and the messages it conveys are so powerful”.
6. Media
reporting and participation of women in sports leadership
45. As regards journalism and media
reporting, a 2011 study of 22 countries around the world showed
that 90% of sport-related articles were written by men; that men
traditionally covered the most popular sports; and that 85% of the
sport-related print media coverage was dedicated to male athletes.
46. Further, the “All in: Towards gender balance in sport” data
collection campaign run by the Council of Europe in 2019 on gender
balance in sport in 18 European countries found that only 19% of
the surveyed sports federations had guidelines for gender balance
in communication content.
An increase in
media attention for female athletes might not only boost their income
but also lead to an increase in the participation of women and girls
in sport. The UN Human Rights Council has referred to the lack of
women in decision-making positions as an obstacle to achieving gender
equality in the world of sport.
47. The “All in: Towards gender balance in sport” data collection
campaign produced an impressive amount of data. The accompanying
report shows that women are still under-represented in the decision-making
bodies of Olympic sports federations and National Olympic Committees.
Among the countries looked at, France
has the highest number of female board members in its sport federations
(37%),
and has achieved gender balance in the
composition of boards in gymnastics and skating (52% and 51% respectively).
Further,
the “All in: Towards gender balance in sport” study has shown that
only 22% of elite-level coaches employed by federations are women.
Several
sports federations have implemented measures aimed at increasing
the number of women in decision-making functions (53%) as well as
the number of female coaches (38%).
They have
mostly done so by developing gender-friendly election and appointment
procedures.
With regard to women's participation,
the most egalitarian sports are swimming and athletics.
48. The “All in: Towards gender balance in European sport” report
also
noted that those sports which are traditionally perceived as “female”
and have the most female members, such as gymnastics and skating,
also have the highest proportion of female coaches and women in
leadership functions. Nevertheless, the position of president is
almost always held by a man.
According to EIGE (European Institute
for Gender Equality), 14% of persons in decision-making positions
in sports federations in EU member States are women (the figure ranges
from 3% in Poland to 43% in Sweden).
49. One billion US$ has been invested by FIFA to develop and raise
the profile of women's football. FIFA and UEFA run a women leadership
programme. The FIFA President actively promotes competitions for
women and equality in general. Women have secured seats in the organisation's
governing bodies. The current FIFA Secretary General is a woman
and a women's staff network has been established since 2014, offering
several positive action measures to enhance opportunities for gender
equality while considering intersectional equality topics. Three
female referees and three women assistant referees have been selected
to officiate at the forthcoming Men's World Cup in Qatar. Currently
more than 20 FIFA Member Associations (Football Federations) have
women in top management.
50. In 2016, the IOC set itself the target of 30% for women’s
representation in Olympic Movement governing bodies by 2020. The
organisation’s 2018 Gender Equality Review Project set out a number
of recommendations to promote the appointment of women in leadership
roles throughout the organisation. These actions included: introducing
a “co-mentoring programme for women”;
transitioning
“the composition of the IOC Executive Board and the composition
of the Vice-President positions into an equal representation of
women and men”; requiring National Olympic
Committees and International Federations to “submit one female candidate
for every male candidate nominated to fill one of the (…) member
positions up for election”;
and reviewing the electoral
processes.
Considerable progress
has been made and female representation in the IOC’s governing bodies
now stands at more than 33%. The Tokyo Olympic Games were the most
inclusive so far, and the upcoming Olympic Games are intended to
be a global platform for promoting gender equality, diversity and
inclusion. Women made up 48% of the athletes who participated in
the Tokyo Olympics.
7. Promoting
gender equality in sport
51. Preventing and combating violence
against women, in all their diversity, in sport needs to become
a priority. Support must be provided to survivors and those wishing
to share their stories. It is imperative that sports staff be trained
in these issues. Numerous acts of violence and abuse have been reported
as part of the “Me Too” movement in the field of sport. Perpetrators
must be prosecuted, there can be no impunity or silence. Firm decisions
must be taken because violence should not be a concern for female
athletes or for young women who take up sport, and their families.
52. Investing in gender equality education is a fundamental recommendation
for bringing about a change in attitudes. This goes hand in hand
with training for teachers in these issues and long-term investment.
Training should also be given to sports coaches in order to prevent
and combat sexism and gender stereotypes, which can be destructive,
and to prevent violence of any kind.
53. Inspiring sportsmen and sportswomen can serve as role models
for the younger generation. I therefore also support the idea of
appointing ambassadors for gender equality in sport, who would carry
out awareness-raising activities in the media and with young athletes.
At our hearing, Irena Guidikova made the point that charismatic
athletes can help to change attitudes and perceptions in our societies.
Nagin Ravand, through her experience, inspires many young women
and encourages them to do sport. She started playing football by chance
and never stopped. She believes that everyone should feel comfortable
engaging in different sports activities and that having more diversity
in sports is extremely beneficial: “no team would win with 11 goalkeepers”.
54. The fight against discrimination in sport must be a priority
for federations, which should commit themselves to playing an active
role in preventing it. Stereotypes, sexist remarks, attacks on sexual
orientation, gender identity and physical appearance should no longer
be tolerated. Sanctions should be imposed if necessary. Data should
be collected on all aspects related to discrimination against women
athletes and violence.
55. Large-scale sporting events can be key moments in the fight
against discrimination and violence against women, particularly
in the field of sport. Organisers of major sports tournaments should
be encouraged to use these opportunities to launch awareness-raising
campaigns aimed at combating violence, discrimination and stereotypes
and send powerful messages about inclusion.
56. Making the adoption and implementation of gender equality
strategies, including a commitment to preventing and combating violence
against women and to ensuring equal pay, a condition of funding
for federations and clubs could also be an effective measure.
57. Sport can be a means of celebrating women in all their diversity.
Discriminatory practices, particularly with regard to dress codes,
when they are not justified by the sport itself, should no longer
be tolerated. The ban on veils in some federations can be a barrier
to participation. Nagin Ravand spoke from personal experience; she
can play soccer in Denmark wearing the veil and participate in the
work of the Danish football association. Wearing the veil has been
her choice and has not prevented her from becoming an accomplished athlete.
58. The requirement for female athletes to wear white clothing,
which can be embarrassing during menstruation, could be reconsidered.
This issue was discussed by some sports federations during the UEFA Women's
Euro football tournament and raises the question of how to accommodate
women's body characteristics in the choice of clothing.
59. According to Lydia Nsekera, Chair of the International Olympic
Committee's Women in Sport Commission, said: “Women, in all their
diversity, have so much to contribute to the world and to the relevance and
lasting success of sport. More women and more diverse voices need
to be involved in leadership and in the decisions regarding the
allocation of resources and other key agenda items in sport. That
is the future.”
The
appointment of women to the governing bodies of the federations
is very important, therefore.
60. Work also needs to be done with the media to prevent the kind
of gender stereotyping that too often still permeates sports commentaries.
Combating discrimination against women in sport also means combating
the hypersexualisation of female athletes.
61. There are still too few women coaches, and training and support
programmes should be funded and implemented.
62. Achieving work-life balance can be particularly difficult
for elite female athletes. Federations should make adjustments to
support athletes.
63. Intersectionality should be taken into account in the development
of gender equality policies in sport. Athletes from diverse backgrounds,
athletes who are LBTI, have disabilities or diverse religious affiliations
often experience multiple discrimination. The Olympic Committee
has made promoting inclusion, gender equality and diversity one
of its priorities. This should go hand in hand with robust action,
such as ensuring accessibility for all and systematising equality,
including through gender mainstreaming policies and concrete initiatives
to combat all forms of racism.
64. Lastly, I also believe that men have an important role to
play in combating discrimination against women, in all their diversity,
in sport. They can take action when they see violence, support victims,
speak out against discrimination, promote diversity and support
their colleagues. They can help make sport a safe haven for everyone.
Nagin Ravand underlined the fact that men, too, could call for equality
in sport, promote women’s participation and lobby for equal pay.
8. Conclusions
65. The summer of 2022 was the
summer of the UEFA European Women's Football Championship. Matches
were broadcast on prime time television and there was intense media
interest in the players. In Germany, the number of TV viewers for
the competition doubled to over 17 million for the final when a
record-breaking 87 192 fans gathered in Wembley Stadium.
The women’s Tour de France was also
a great success. These events make us optimistic about the future
of women's sport. Greater recognition and investment are called
for.
66. The Council of Europe has an important role to play in promoting
access to sport for all, but also in combating all forms of discrimination
in sport. The European Sports Charter was revised in 2021 and I
am confident that its implementation in the member States will lead
to greater equality in practice.
67. Sport engages, motivates and drives progress. It can be a
factor in emancipation and in changing attitudes. It can also hold
up a mirror to our societies. The treatment of female athletes reflects
gender stereotypes that are deeply embedded in those societies.
Women have to deal with comments about their private lives, what
they wear and how they behave whereas media coverage of male athletes
is much more focused on their performance. The same is true for
women who engage in politics.
68. Co-operation between the sports world and political representatives
is essential to ensure that sport acts as a true vehicle for change.
In this respect, I would like to commend the role of the Assembly's
Committee on Culture, Science, Education and the Media, which has
been working with football’s governing bodies for many years, and
which has supported progress in this area.
69. The world of sport has gradually opened up to women, and I
hope that the efforts undertaken will continue in the years to come
and will lead to gender equality in sport, a genuine appreciation
of the value of women's sport and an end to the invisibility of
women in this area.