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The project is designed to address the significant gender disparity in sports participation among youth, as highlighted by the concerning trends of girls dropping out from sports activities and engaging less in physical activities outside of school. Drawing upon the youth and sports strategies outlined by the Federal Ministry of the Arts, Culture, the Civil Service, and Sport of Austria, which emphasizes youth health and well-being through increased physical activity in schools, our initiative aims to balance the scales of gender representation in sports teams. Currently, male participation significantly overshadows female involvement, with statistics indicating a 74% to 26% ratio in favor of males. Our goal is to achieve a 50% representation rate for women in sports teams, aligning with the national strategies for youth and sports.
Project: Through a Gender Lens: Young women in Sports
Duration: 31.12.2023 – 30.12.2024
Reference Nr. 2023-1-AT01-KA152-YOU-000121753
Grant Amount: 27,930 EUR
ERASMUS+
Our project is designed to address the significant gender disparity in sports participation among youth, as highlighted by the concerning trends of girls dropping out from sports activities and engaging less in physical activities outside of school. Drawing upon the youth and sports strategies outlined by the Federal Ministry of the Arts, Culture, the Civil Service, and Sport of Austria, which emphasizes youth health and well-being through increased physical activity in schools, our initiative aims to balance the scales of gender representation in sports teams.
Currently, male participation significantly overshadows female involvement, with statistics indicating a 74% to 26% ratio in favor of males. Our goal is to achieve a 50% representation rate for women in sports teams, aligning with the national strategies for youth and sports.
To tackle the issues of retention and dropout rates among women in sports, our youth organization, in collaboration with partners from Austria, Türkiye, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, will explore and address the social and youth-based factors at play. This collaborative effort aims to foster a European dimension in finding mutual solutions to enhance women’s participation in sports, making sports and physical activities more relevant, motivating, and accessible to women, especially those at risk of dropping out.
Our project’s objectives and activities are closely linked with the Erasmus+ program and Youth Exchanges, aiming to dismantle gender and social barriers to sports participation. Through interactive activities promoting active participation, we will facilitate knowledge sharing among youth organizations across Europe, fostering a culture of advice, mentorship, and support for including women in sports and physical activities. Our approach is grounded in the belief of shared leadership among partners, echoing the ethos of the European Year of Youth 2022.
Key initiatives include:
This project, set to unfold over 7 days at Youth Power in Austria, aims to delve into the patterns and barriers of women’s participation in sports. Through a survey titled “What’s Stopping Women Being More Active?” and a Youth Focus Group Meeting, we will gather insights into the challenges faced by young women in sports within the systems of various participating youth organizations. The project will explore strategies and teaching techniques to increase women’s involvement in sports teams and activities. A key outcome will be the development of “How to Make Sports Better for Women and Coaching through a Gender Lens” toolkits, designed to share knowledge and experiences across all beneficiary organizations.
A highlight of the project is the organization of a “Volleyball Tournament” aimed at providing young women with a platform to develop new skills, foster teamwork, and boost self-esteem and confidence. Following this, the “Be an Ambassador for Women- Youth Organization Piloting Process” will implement the created toolkits across partner organizations, ensuring the project’s impact extends beyond its immediate participants.
The project will involve 30 young women and 6 group leaders, chosen for their lack of prior opportunities in sports due to gender biases or other barriers. These participants will include students and a group leader, with the latter being licensed coaches or active sports professionals, ensuring a rich blend of experience and guidance.
This initiative not only prioritizes women’s inclusion and diversity in sports but also aims to empower young people from diverse backgrounds, promoting active European citizenship and personal and professional development. Through focusing on the patterns of women’s participation, influences on their involvement, and examples of innovative practices, the project seeks to inspire more women to engage in sports, fostering a lifelong commitment to physical activity.
This initiative aims to significantly boost female participation in sports and physical activities across various organizations and centers in Europe. Key goals include:
Youth Power Austria and AENİE each aim to increase young women’s participation by up to 50%.
Ordu Youth Center targets a 60% increase in female youth, workers, and leaders’ engagement in sports.
European Youth Center Břeclav and Asociación Cultural y Deportiva La Hoya each plan a 55% rise in female participation in their sports activities.
Internal Association of Active Cities, with support from the İstanbul Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, aims for a 50% increase in female youth in sports teams.
To achieve these goals, each partner will:
The project envisions creating an environment where both female and male students benefit equally, fostering equality in sports through EU values and transnational partnerships. It aims to close the gender gap in sports, challenge conventional ideas of women’s participation, and inspire more women to become active. Aligning with the European Parliament’s directives and the European Strategy for gender equality, the initiative seeks to promote equality and empower women in sports at all levels, mainstreaming equality in sports education and policy across EU Member States.