Gender equality in sport

 

SUMMARY OF:

Conclusions on gender equality in sport

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONCLUSIONS?

They set out how gender equality — a principle being mainstreamed into all European Union (EU) policy areas — can be applied to sport. They provide voluntary guidelines for national authorities, the European Commission and sport organisations.

KEY POINTS

To promote gender equality, the conclusions invite national authorities to:

• develop country-wide action plans;
• highlight the value of diversity and gender balance in sport administration;
• educate decision-makers, coaches and parents to eliminate gender stereotypes and to promote gender equality from an early age;
• tackle gender-based violence and protect actual and potential victims from sexual harassment and abuse;
• use sporting events to raise awareness of sexual human trafficking.

Together, national authorities and the Commission are asked to:

• develop ways of assessing the suitability of people working in sport, especially with minors;
• use programmes, such as Erasmus+ (e.g. under its social inclusion strand) and other EU funds to promote equality by focusing on coaches and the media;
• consider making respect for gender equality a condition of public funding.

Sport organisations themselves can contribute by:

• promoting equality in sport administration, among coaches and at all levels of decision-making, such as executive boards and sport committees;
• using codes of ethics to tackle gender-based violence and establishing hotlines and support services for those affected;
• encouraging non-sexist sports media coverage.

BACKGROUND

• Equality between women and men is one of the EU’s fundamental principles. It is written into its treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Sport can help achieve this by promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion and developing individuals’ skills, knowledge and abilities.
• Gender equality is also a priority in the EU Work Plan for Sport (2014-2017). One of the 5 Expert Groups set up to help implement the Work Plan (Expert Group on Good Governance) has been mandated to prepare recommendations on gender equality in sport.
• The Commission works closely with organisations such as the European non-governmental sports organisation, the European Women and Sport group and the International Working Group of Women in Sport in developing new policies and initiatives.
• For more information, see:
  • ‘Gender equality in sport’ on the European Institute for Gender Equality's website
  • ‘Proposal for Strategic Actions 2014-2020’ on the European Commission's website
  • Expert Group on Good Governance, Recommendations on Gender Equality in Sport
  • European Commission’s Sport website.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Conclusions of 21 May 2014 on Gender Equality in Sport (2014/C 183/09) (OJ C 183, 14.6.2014,pp. 39-42)

last update 09.01.2017