Women’s Sport in Canada: Have We Achieved Gender Equity? M. Ann Hall University of Alberta Canada Presentation to the 5 th Annual Congress of the Japan Society for Sport and Gender Studies Kyoto, Japan, July 1-2, 2006

Presentation Themes (1)What have we been doing to bring about gender equity in sport (especially last years)? (2)Strategies employed – what has worked? (3)Areas of gender inequity still remaining (4)Relationship of women’s (feminist) movement to achieving gender equity in Canadian sport (5)Role of feminist academics and researchers in the change process (6)Future of women’s sport in Canada (and the world)?

What have we been doing in Canada to bring about gender equity in sport? Will focus on last years

2006 Winter Olympics Canada won 19 medalsCanada won 19 medals 14 by women14 by women 5 gold medals: 4 in women’s sports5 gold medals: 4 in women’s sports 8 silver medals: 5 by women8 silver medals: 5 by women 6 bronze medals: 5 by women6 bronze medals: 5 by women

2006 Paralympic Winter Games Canada won 13 medals 6 by women plus one by a mixed team 5 gold: 1 by a woman; 1 by a mixed team 3 silver: 2 by women 5 bronze: 3 by women

Focus Areas: ● Leadership ● Access● Participation ●Awareness ● Research

Examples of women’s sport advocacy organizations in Canada

Growth in girls’ and women’s soccer ► 347,228 registered players in 2004 (42% of total) ► more than doubled since 1996

Growth in girls’ and women’s ice hockey ► 54, 563 registered players in ► 400% increase in 10 years

National campaign to increase the number of coaching opportunities for women, at all levels of sport.National campaign to increase the number of coaching opportunities for women, at all levels of sport. Directed by the Canadian Coaching AssociationDirected by the Canadian Coaching Association Provides professional development grants, apprenticeship grants, and National Coaching Institute scholarshipsProvides professional development grants, apprenticeship grants, and National Coaching Institute scholarships Over 500 women coaches have received some $3,000,000 since 1987Over 500 women coaches have received some $3,000,000 since 1987 Development of resources – e.g., Canadian Journal for Women in CoachingDevelopment of resources – e.g., Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching

► about 50 universities in Canada ► most have an equity statement of some kind ► 58% of athletic departments have a specific equity statement ► identification of best practices (e.g., special funds to enhance women’s sport programs, detailed action plans to achieve gender equity)

Addressing controversial issues

Strategies employed – what has worked?

Gender equity strategies 1990s: shift from “equality” to “equity”1990s: shift from “equality” to “equity” Equality = equality of opportunityEquality = equality of opportunity –Women (and other disadvantaged groups) identified as a target group –Focus is on women themselves Equity = focus on a system (e.g., sport)Equity = focus on a system (e.g., sport) –System needs to change to accommodate women

Strategies cont’d Equality focuses on creating the same starting line for everyoneEquality focuses on creating the same starting line for everyone Equity has the goal of providing everyone with the same finish lineEquity has the goal of providing everyone with the same finish line Women’s sport advocacy organizations (e.g., CAAWS) endorsed this shiftWomen’s sport advocacy organizations (e.g., CAAWS) endorsed this shift CAAWS works with other sport organizations to become gender equitableCAAWS works with other sport organizations to become gender equitable

Strategies cont’d Incorporation of gender equity into Sport Canada policy statements The goals of the Canadian Sport Policy ( ) are: – –enhanced EXCELLENCE – –enhanced PARTICIPATION – –enhanced CAPACITY – –enhanced INTERACTION

Strategies cont’d

Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (Sport Canada):Sport Funding and Accountability Framework (Sport Canada): –National Sport Organizations (NSOs) must have a formal policy or policies demonstrating commitment to equity and access, notably for women, persons with a disability and Aboriginal peoples as athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders* *A formal policy on women and sport is not required for NSOs which exceed 40% female participation or representation in all areas (athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders)

Strategies cont’d Is this funding policy effective? ● Is this funding policy effective? -very difficult to find out (no data available) -many large NSOs do not rely on Sport Canada funding -NSO websites do not mention gender equity policies -NSO “strategic plans” do not mention gender equity -Having a policy and taking action are not the same thing

Strategies cont’d Sophisticated use of information technologySophisticated use of information technology –information archived and easily accessible –websites continually updated –electronic newsletters and journals

Strategies cont’d ● Legal challenges to inequality -cases brought to federal and provincial human rights commissions -many have been successful -mechanism used less now than in 1970s and 1980s

Areas of gender inequity still remaining in Canada

Physical Activity Participation 54% of adult females not active enough to benefit health (compared to 48% of males)54% of adult females not active enough to benefit health (compared to 48% of males) 65% of women (aged 65 and over) not active enough (compared to 50% of men)65% of women (aged 65 and over) not active enough (compared to 50% of men) Source: Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute 2004 Physical Activity Monitor

Sport Participation Rates are dropping for Canadian women over 15 years of ageRates are dropping for Canadian women over 15 years of age 1992: 38.0% 1992: 38.0% 1998: 26.0% 1998: 26.0% 2004: 23.4% (39% for males) 2004: 23.4% (39% for males) Participation for both genders decreases with ageParticipation for both genders decreases with age

Physical Activity and Sport among Children and Youth Over half of Canadian teenagers are sedentaryOver half of Canadian teenagers are sedentary Only 21% are accumulating enough daily activity to meet the international guidelines for optimal growth and developmentOnly 21% are accumulating enough daily activity to meet the international guidelines for optimal growth and development Teenagers, aged 15 to 19 are more likely to be sedentary than those aged 12 to 14 (51%)Teenagers, aged 15 to 19 are more likely to be sedentary than those aged 12 to 14 (51%) –63% of girls years of age are inactive compared to 44% of boys –55% of girls years of age are inactive compared to 43% of boys Obesity rates among Canadian children and youth are increasing and are among the highest in the worldObesity rates among Canadian children and youth are increasing and are among the highest in the world Source: CFLRI 2004 Physical Activity Monitor

Diversity Issues Aboriginal girls and women are often severely disadvantaged and marginalizedAboriginal girls and women are often severely disadvantaged and marginalized Visible minority females (14%) greatly under-representedVisible minority females (14%) greatly under-represented Women with disabilities participate much lessWomen with disabilities participate much less

Women in Sport Leadership 1.17 million volunteers in organized sport (about 1 in 20 Canadians)1.17 million volunteers in organized sport (about 1 in 20 Canadians) Volunteers: 64% men; 36% womenVolunteers: 64% men; 36% women Coaches: 73% male; 27% femaleCoaches: 73% male; 27% female Executives: 61% male; 39% femaleExecutives: 61% male; 39% female Source: A Profile of Community Sport Volunteers (2005)