https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiCDRNW5A84 (1 min)
What are some ways to promote gender equality in sports?
Even as more women are participating in the sports scene, portrayal of women could still be biased and stereotypical. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) highlights the importance of portraying gender equality in sports. Avoiding prejudice and stereotypes in the portrayal (i.e. representation) of women and men is a crucial step on the path towards gender equality, in all areas of life.
Let us focus on sports coverage and how representation of women in sports could be more balanced.
- Through equal airtime and coverage devoted to both men and women’s events
Research indicates that female athletes still get less airtime than their male counterparts, and language related to physical appearance and personal lives, rather than athletic performance, is still more common for women than men,” explains Laura Grimes, Senior ELT Research Manager at the Press.
IOC believes that all sporting events are of equal importance. As such, in broadcast activities – coverage of events, interviews, athlete profiles, commentaries, it is best to provide equal exposure and ensure that the reporting is balanced between the different genders. Avoid excessive focus on only one gender.
2. Through bias-free language
Nouns and Proper Nouns: Use words that are bias-free
Prejudice and stereotypical beliefs can be revealed through the comments that people make. Some stereotypical comments can be made so flippantly that most people are unaware of them and let them slip by. Hence, there is definitely a need for people to be more attentive and to respond appropriately to unfair gendered remarks so that misconceptions could be addressed promptly.
Reflect:
What are some gender stereotypes that you have heard of?
Example, “Men should be… Women should….”
What can you do to challenge the gender stereotypes?
Sources:
https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/IOC/What-We-Do/Promote-Olympism/Women-And-Sport/Guide-Genders-Balanced-Representation.pdf#_ga=2.139954739.1802553429.1587104180-709507528.1587104180
https://en.unesco.org/themes/gender-equality-sports-media
