Women’s Sports Deserve the All-Star Treatment: #Embrace Equity

Yesterday on March 8^th we celebrated International Women’s Day. The theme this year is #EmbraceEquity. The International Women’s Day website at https://internationalwomensday.com described a range of resources and activities to help individuals and organizations participate in the day’s events but also delineates the importance of this movement. The many offerings included virtual events, social media campaigns, and other activities that aim to raise awareness of women’s issues and promote gender equality.

Equity vs. Equality

Equity and equality are two related but distinct concepts. Equality means treating everyone the same, regardless of their differences or circumstances. In contrast, equity means recognizing and addressing differences in access, opportunities, and resources to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

To illustrate this difference, imagine a group of people who want to watch a sports game but have varying degrees of sight impairment. If they were all given the same standard size of glasses, they would be treated equally but not equitably. This is because the glasses would not meet the needs of those with different degrees of sight impairment. To be equitable, each person would receive the appropriate prescription glasses that meet their individual needs, allowing them all to have an equal opportunity to watch the game.

Therefore, equity is about acknowledging and addressing the unique needs and circumstances of individuals or groups to ensure that they have a fair and just outcome, while equality is about treating everyone the same, regardless of their differences. Equity is how we arrive at equality, according to the International Women’s Day site.

Women in Sports Gets a Spotlight

According to an article on Yahoo! Sports, International Women’s Day has made a significant difference in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in sports. It discusses various examples of women who have made significant contributions to sports and have broken down gender barriers, and the challenges that women still face including unequal pay, limited opportunities, and lack of media coverage.

According to Billie Jean King, a tennis legend and gender equality advocate, “International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that we still have work to do to ensure that women in sports and beyond have equal opportunities to succeed and thrive.” She also highlighted the importance of encouraging girls and young women to participate in sports and challenge gender stereotypes and biases.

There is a need for ongoing action in all these areas to bring about equity in women’s sports, as with all of the endeavors of women around the world.

Honoring Women’s Sports

Here are the top three ways that International Women’s Day honors women athletes, as listed on the International Women’s Day website:

Celebrating women’s sporting achievements and highlighting the barriers they have overcome to succeed: International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women athletes and to acknowledge the challenges they face in a male-dominated industry. By recognizing their hard work, dedication, and perseverance, we can inspire other women and girls to pursue their dreams and break down gender barriers in sports.

Recognizing the contributions of women athletes to the sporting world and their impact on society as a whole: Women athletes have made significant contributions to the sporting world and have inspired people across the globe. By recognizing their impact, we can encourage others to challenge gender stereotypes and biases, and promote the importance of gender equity in all aspects of life.

Promoting equal opportunities for women in sports and advocating for gender equity in sports media coverage, funding, and leadership positions: Despite progress in recent years, women still face significant barriers to equal opportunities in sports. By promoting equal opportunities, advocating for gender equity, and challenging discrimination and stereotypes, we can create a more inclusive and equitable sporting environment for all. This includes advocating for women’s sports to receive the same funding and media coverage as men’s sports, as well as promoting the participation and leadership of women in all aspects of sports governance and management.

The other top ways this day honors and supports women’s sports are as follows:

• Supporting women athletes who have faced discrimination, harassment, or abuse in their careers and advocating for safe and inclusive sporting environments.
• Encouraging girls and young women to participate in sports and promoting the benefits of physical activity for overall health and well-being.
• Creating platforms for women athletes to share their stories and experiences and to inspire others to pursue their dreams.
• Encouraging gender-inclusive language and challenging gender stereotypes in sports commentary and reporting.
• Celebrating women coaches, referees, and other sports professionals who are breaking barriers and advancing gender equality in the sporting world.
• Highlighting the intersectionality of women’s experiences in sports and advocating for the rights of women from diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Collaborating with other organizations and stakeholders to drive systemic change and create a more equitable and inclusive sporting world for all.

Inclusive Sports Fosters Community

Inclusion is another crucial aspect of equity. With regard to sports, it’s important because it promotes fairness, equality, and respect for diversity. When sports are inclusive, it means that people of all backgrounds and identities can participate and excel, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or ability. Inclusive sports environments foster a sense of community and belonging, and they provide opportunities for people to learn from one another and to appreciate the diversity of human experiences.

Inclusion is particularly important in women’s sports because women athletes have historically faced significant barriers to participation and recognition. Women’s sports have often been marginalized and underfunded, and women athletes have been subject to discrimination, stereotypes, and unequal treatment.

Removing Barriers

Creating inclusive sports environments for women means breaking down these barriers and promoting equal opportunities for all women athletes, regardless of their background or identity. It means providing resources and support for women athletes to excel in their sport and recognizing their achievements and contributions to the sporting world. It also means challenging gender stereotypes and biases that limit the potential of women athletes and perpetuate discrimination and inequality.

Inclusive women’s sports environments benefit not only women athletes but also our society as a whole. They promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, and they inspire young girls and women to pursue their dreams and challenge gender norms. They also foster a sense of community and belonging, where women athletes can feel supported and valued, and where their experiences and perspectives are respected and celebrated.