The Paris 2024 Olympics mark a historic milestone as the first Games to feature an equal number of male and female athletes alongside the Paralympics, symbolizing progress toward gender equality in sports. However, systemic disparities persist, with women underrepresented in leadership roles (e.g., governance, coaching) and facing barriers such as unequal pay, limited media coverage (just 5% dedicated to women’s sport outside major events), and exclusion from the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes.
At UNESCO’s Change the Game Conference, stakeholders emphasized actionable strategies: increasing investment in women’s sports, dismantling pay gaps, improving representation in decision-making roles, and addressing gender-based violence through robust safeguarding policies.
Speakers highlighted the societal impact of media visibility and campaigns in reshaping perceptions. At the same time, athletes like Emma Oudiou shared harrowing experiences of sexual violence and systemic sexism, stressing the urgent need for the protection of women athletes. NBA player Grant Williams called for men to leverage their privilege to advocate equity. UNESCO’s Begoña Lasagabaster underscored that sports belong to all, urging global collaboration to transform these gains into lasting change. The consensus: achieving gender equality requires coordinated efforts across governments, organizations, and communities, proving that equity in sports is not just a competition goal but a societal imperative.
Source: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/lighting-torch-gender-equality-sports