On January 16th, 2022, two female runners set new American records for half-marathon and marathon events. Both these athletes are in their late 30’s, are mothers and professional athletes. It was a great day for women all over the world. It was a reminder that having children doesn’t have to be the end of our careers, sports participation, and dreams. I like to celebrate female athletes and the inclusivity on the running field every day. In aid of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, I wanted to write a blog highlighting the history of women in the U.S. and how we can continue supporting women and girls in their sports journey.

History

Fifty years ago, Title- IX opened the doors for female athletes in sports in U.S. This act prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives funding from the federal government. Although female athletes have made great strides since 1972, the year Title – IX passed, we are far from gender parity.

Where we Stand Today in the U.S.

Women and girls are still behind in sports access, coaching opportunities, and pay. According to Gatorade’s Girls In Sports study, girls aged 14 drop out of sport at 1.5 times the rate that boys do. By age 17, just over half of all young women in high school stopped playing sports. This study is just a glimpse of young girls in sports in U.S.

Why They Drop Out

Accessibility and Cost- Girls have fewer opportunities to play high school sports than boys. Lack of options to play in school means girls must find opportunities at other places like private clubs. Private clubs and coaches mean higher costs to play sports. All the families cannot afford to pay that kind of money to keep their girls in sports.

Safety and Transportation- Participating in sports means traveling to and from many different locations. Some of the sites might not be safe for girls. If there isn’t a safe transportation option available to girls, their only option is to drop out.

Role Model Athletes- We need more female athletes who embody confidence and a positive image. Girls often have negative body image due to the media’s representation of external beauty and vanity. Hopefully, female athletes can use media to encourage girls to participate in sports and healthy physical activity.

Opportunities in Developing Countries

In developing countries, women are far behind in just accessing opportunities in sports. Coming from a developing nation myself, I have experienced the struggles firsthand. The battle for women and girls in developing countries where society expects women to marry and have children early in life makes it very difficult to even dream about sports. The challenges faced by women in developing countries are numerous; religion’s impact, cultural and social traditions, and a male-dominated society. None of these factors allows the women to learn about sports and know the benefits of participating in sports.

The Value of Women Playing Sports

Sports and athletics are just about wellbeing and health for women. It can be a solid basis for sociological development. Some of the benefits are; attaining goals, increasing confidence, processing feedback, learning to fail, having stronger self-esteem, and staying calm under pressure.

Girls and women who play sports can learn these skills and then take them to classrooms and workplaces. An Ernst and Young study found that 94% of women in executive positions played sports.

How Can you Support Women in Sports?

The most significant way to support your everyday recreational athletes and girls in sports is to highlight their stories and give them a voice. If you have a friend, family member, or an acquaintance, support them on social media and the internet. Contributing to other organizations working for gender equity in sports is a great way to bring awareness. One such organization is Women Sports Foundation (WSF). Their Equity project aims to create meaningful change so that all girls and women have equitable access to physical activity and sport. You can join WSF’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day Virtual 5K and 50 Mile challenge to celebrate female athletes in your community.

Sports have the power to change the lives of women and our society. Together we can drive gender equality in sports by encouraging our youth to participate in sports, support other female athletes and contribute to organizations working towards a more equitable playing field.