Achieving gender equality in sports requires the involvement of both men and women. Those in positions of leadership must understand that misogyny and sexism are alive and thriving and need to be stopped, alongside prioritizing survivor-focused, trauma-informed responses.
The objective of gender equity needs to be pursued in a strategic manner by sports groups, especially governing bodies like the International Olympic Committee. It is essential that women who put in an equivalent amount of effort are entitled to the same participation possibilities, financial support, pay and perks as male athletes. It is also vital to encourage mixed teams and promote the visibility of female athletes, as a way of providing more role models who can inspire girls to continue playing sport.
Lastly, it is important to establish policies that tackle the root causes of gender inequalities in sports, such as implementing and prioritizing anti-violence and safe spaces. Furthermore, it is necessary to promote women’s representation in coaching and leadership roles, as well as in governing bodies.
The current study is limited by the semi-structured interviews and the spontaneous participation of participants, which may have led to a shallower approach to the topic. It is therefore recommended that future research utilize individual unstructured interviews in order to delve deeper into the participants’ experiences. In addition, the analysis of data from only one country should be taken into consideration. However, the findings of this research are significant, as they provide a valuable insight into the opinions of female athletes about the gender equality situation in sports.