List of content 1. Abstract 2. Introduction 3. Findings 3.1 Benefits for women participating in sports 3.1.1 Good for health 3.1.2 Social Benefits 3.2 Barriers to women’s participation in sport and physical activity 3.2.1 Shortage of time and child care 3.2.2 Cultural Barrier 3.2.3 Lack of money 4. Conclusion 5. Recommendations 6. References
Barriers to women participation in Sports
1. Abstract
It is clear that various factors have affected for declining number of female participant in sports. The sporting organizations have to consider about the situation and forward necessary steps for improvement of involvement of women in sports.
The report investigates the reason behind declining number of women participant in sports; describes advantage and factors that affect women doing sports. The key findings are:
Benefits:
* Good health for women * Social Benefits
Reason for not participating in sport
* Culture * Responsibility
2. Introduction
It has been a long time women are participating in sports despite of numerous barriers based on gender discrimination. However, men play a dominant role in sport till today. Women are frequently segregated involuntarily into different types of sports, events and competitions specifically targeted to women.(UN, 2007) Now-a-days, in Australia, the number of women participating in sport has continuous to increase.(see fig 4) in different sectors of sport.( see fig 2). The importance of doing sport has been well understood by women and most of them choose to do various sports in their daily life in order to maintain health and physics.
One of the community sporting organizations in Australia is not satisfied with the number of women’s participating in their club so they want to increase the women’s membership which is beneficial for the company in long term. The report investigates about women’s participation in sport and proposes useful recommendations. The report also identifies reason why many women are not participating in sport. All data which is used in findings, conclusions and recommendations are based on governmental websites.
Fig 4 Participation rate of men and women in organized sport and physical activity in NSW, 1996-2000
Source: NSW sports and Recreation
Source: NSW sports and Recreation
3. Findings
Fig 3 Obesity
Source: Parliament of Australia
Source: Parliament of Australia
4.1 Benefits of women participating in sports
3.1.1 Good for health
The graph fig 3.10 shows that 27% of females in Australia are overweight. Everyone is aware about that sport will almost certainly bring a lot of advantages to women’s health. In terms of sport, exercise plays the significant role which most likely helps women lose weight and keep them away from obesity, yoga and other fitness equipment will also almost certainly improve flexibility of women’s body and give them beautiful look which will probably feel them more confident. Doing Sport most certainly helps to remain out of stress. According to Vic Health, physical activity decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary heart disease, lowers blood pressure, decreases the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes and raises levels of good cholesterol. (Senate, Canebarra, 2006). Women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and lower levels of depression. Hence, it is very important for women to do sports in order to overcome health problems and build their confidence.
3.1.2 Social Benefits:
Fig 2
Source: NSW sports and Recreation,
Source: NSW sports and Recreation,
NSW, Sports and Recreation, 2007
NSW, Sports and Recreation, 2007
The women will almost certainly acquire lot of social benefits doing sports in a club or outside. They will probably make new friends and socialize. As a result, they have opportunities for personal development and mix with other cultures rather than being connected with only families. 4.2 Barriers to women’s participation in sport and physical activity
Family time and life cycle stage (AIFS, 2007)
Source: Australian Government website
Source: Australian Government website
3.2.1 Shortage of time and child care
The chart in figure 1 shows that women are not only involved in childcare but also in paid employment. They have a lot of burden and responsibility; as a result they do not have time for doing sport activities.
3.2.2 Cultural Barrier
Australia is the home for people all around the world who have immigrated to Australia which makes it as multicultural country. Every people have to follow their own culture. For example, people from Islamic countries cannot participate in sports due to the sporting clothes because they need to cover all their body and not allowed to shape of your body. This almost certainly results in decrease in number of women being a member in sporting club.
3.2.3 Lack of money
Either you buy exercise equipment or join the club. It will be pretty expensive because it is often considered as luxuries. The poor family will not be able to afford buying equipment or invest in club membership.
4. Conclusion
It is clear that women almost certainly have a lot of benefits from doing sports in relation to health, confidence and new friends. However, there are some reasons in declining of women membership in sports such as, culture, time and money. The sporting organization has to relay the benefits of doing sport to women in city and remote areas. They have to offer various suitable fitness plans in relation to the women interest.
5. Recommendations
* Club has to include various sporting facilities related to women which lead to multiple choices for women to participate. * Sporting organizations have to organize campaign to inform the people about health benefits by doing sports * Club has to open childcare facilities in order to attract more women so that they don’t need to worry about their children * Sport clothing manufacturer have to manufacture clothe suitable for Islamic culture * Offering discount to be a member in the club which will suits women budget requirement
6. References
United Nations 2007, women 2000 and beyond, viewed 20 September 2011 <http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/Women%20and%20Sport.pdf>
NSW sports and Recreation, female participation in sport, p.02, viewed 20 November 2011, <http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/industry/info_fempartic.pdf>
Parliament of Australia, overweight and obesity in Australia, viewed 20 November 2011, <http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/obesity.htm>
NSW sports and Recreation, sport and physical activity in New South Wales, p.04, viewed 20 November 2011, <http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/industry/sportandphysicalactivity.pdf>
Australian Government, a snapshot of how Australian families spent their time, viewed 20 November 2011, <http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/factssheets/familytime.html>
The Senate 2006, Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee, p.13, viewed 20 November 2011 < http://www.wwda.org.au/sportfr06.pdf>
