Urgent Call to Address Violence Against Women and Girls in Sports, Says UN Special Rapporteur

In her report presented to the 79th session of the General Assembly, Alsalem emphasized the pressing need for action to combat the various forms of violence faced by women and girls in the sporting arena.

Violence against women and girls in sports is a serious and systemic human rights issue that demands immediate attention at all levels, according to Reem Alsalem, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences. In her report presented to the 79th session of the General Assembly, Alsalem emphasized the pressing need for action to combat the various forms of violence faced by women and girls in the sporting arena.

Types of Violence Encountered

"Women and girls in sports face multiple forms of violence, including economic, physical, psychological, and online violence," Alsalem stated. Her report outlines the structural causes of this violence, pointing to deeply ingrained male-dominated cultures, underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, and unequal investments in female sports. These challenges are exacerbated by intersecting forms of discrimination based on sex, gender, age, race, religion, and disability.

Systemic Barriers to Participation

The report also highlights systemic barriers that hinder women and girls from participating in sports on equal footing with their male counterparts. These barriers include harmful social stereotypes, pervasive sexism in the sporting environment, a lack of role models, an unequal share of caregiving responsibilities, and limited access to essential training facilities, infrastructure, and resources.

Alsalem noted, "Women and girls already have many odds stacked against them that impede their equal and effective participation in sports. In addition, their ability to play sport in conditions of safety, dignity, and fairness has been further eroded by the intrusion of males who identify as female in female-only sports and related spaces."

Proposed Solutions

To address these challenges, the Special Rapporteur calls for the establishment of open categories in sports and the introduction of non-invasive, confidential, and straightforward sex screenings where necessary. These measures aim to ensure inclusive participation for all individuals while safeguarding fairness, safety, and dignity for female athletes.

Alsalem stressed that "impunity for perpetrators of violence remains widespread, fostering a continued culture of silence and injustice." She highlighted that the autonomous regulatory frameworks of sports organizations often prioritize reputation and winning over justice for victims, further perpetuating a toxic environment.

Need for Collective Action

While recognizing positive actions taken by various governments, sports bodies, and civil society organizations to enhance the participation of women and girls in sports, Alsalem urges all stakeholders to intensify efforts in preventing, prosecuting, and condemning violence. "Unless sports actors commit to making sport safer and fairer for women and girls, societies cannot fully capitalize on its potential to drive much-needed social change: to achieve sex and gender equality and empower all women and girls," she concluded.

This call to action underlines the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle violence against women and girls in sports, ensuring that athletic spaces are safe, equitable, and empowering for all participants.