La brecha de género en el deporteEl caso de una marginación histórica y socialmente consentida

Abstract

First of all, we must consider that the World Health Organization -WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 Report (2018) points out the scarce physical activity implemented by citizens, and especially how this deficiency is focused on women. Then, it is important to analyze all aspects connected with this disaffection that it takes women away from the health benefits of sports and physical activity. We also must analyze the powerful effort of the international institutions to alert about the gender gap. And why have these reports not been enough listened to, or effective? The review of specific data as the presence of women in the Olympic Games, the women absence in responsibilities, decisions and management positions of the sportive field, or the differentials in the quarry of high-level athletes confirm in almost all levels and scopes the existence and overlooked gender gap. The alert of international organizations, on a continuous basis, has not made a dent in the marginalization of gender in the sport field (United Nations Women - UNWomen, 2007, 2016 & 2019). Girls and women have fewer opportunities and support when they participate in sport activities. And in the event that they manage to become professional athletes, they find another important gap such as salary. Likewise, the fact that women are scarcely present in Higher Education grades related to physical activity and sports is a significant indication of how little the situation can change. If the majority of studies associated to sport are occupied by men, and their specialization rate in masters and doctorates is consequently higher, we must anticipate that, unfortunately, the gap is not closing and the projection of men in the work occupations related to the sport world will continue to perpetuate masculinized sports spaces where human capital and the valuable contribution of women will continue to be lost. It is essential to sensitize future teachers to the importance of not leaving women behind in this traditionally paternalized, patronalized and pastoralized sport field. For this reason, we consider that the curricular integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (UN, 2015), specifically SDG 5- Gender equality in sport studies could be a relevant way to reach awareness in the reduction of gender differentials in sports. The international agenda agreed in the SDGs commits demands us to change the way in which we think and act in favor of people, peace, prosperity, the environment and equity. Along these lines, we come to three questions that need to be reflected on and answered as a social collective: Why hasn’t the expansion of sport spread by the same percentage to girls and women? Where and why, on the way to an equitable sport fabric, have we lost women? And what commitment do we have as citizens with gender equality in sports? Undoubtedly, the lack of insertion opportunities in communities of initiates and of support in mentors, the fear of family conciliation, and other complex factors centered on gender stereotypes makes women athletes generally accept the space that the sports community assigns them. The underrepresentation of women in the national and international sports network demands from women themselves greater awareness and greater resistance to exclusion. As long as social contexts and cultural practices as a whole do not change, women athletes will have to fight hard to lead the issues of inequality of opportunities in the sports world.