Women’s and girls’ sports are one of the most powerful vehicles for advancing gender equality. They teach teamwork, self-reliance and resilience. And they are a way for young women and girls to defy stereotypes, make inspiring role models, and show that men and women are equals.
Yet despite the advances made in various sports over the years, issues of inequality persist. These include lower pay, underrepresentation in leadership positions, and inadequate media coverage. These inequalities are compounded by sexism, which can be seen in attitudes and stereotypical beliefs about what is appropriate for female athletes.
The drive towards gender equality in sport has picked up speed, especially in the Olympic Movement, thanks to a series of progressive initiatives. But there is still a long road to travel. As we mark 25 years since the passage of Title IX, it is time to turn a corner and accelerate the pace of progress.
This article focuses on the geographical and socio-political differences across Europe in attitudes towards gender equality in sport (ATGEQS). It uses data from the Special Eurobarometer 525 (2022), adopting a fuzzy-hybrid TOPSIS approach to produce an aggregate indicator of ATGEQS, using latent profile analysis and multinomial logistic regression. The results reveal substantial geographical differences, with Nordic countries (led by Finland and Sweden) showing high ATGEQS, corresponding to a tradition of welfare policies that promote gender equality and supportive social norms. In contrast, Eastern European countries show more conservative views, rejecting gender equality and viewing it as an affront to culture and national identity.
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