FACTORS DISCRIMINATING

PAKISTANI WOMEN’S

PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS.

Introduction Sport is defined as all forms of physical activity which,

through casual or organized participation, aim atexpressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results incompetitions at all levels (Council of Europe, 2001).

It is one of the most essential things for everyone. Thereare many positive outcomes of these activities andsports; these can be enjoyed by both, men and women(Noon, 2014).

There are many benefits of Sports that may help in the lives of individuals and bring forward positive outcomes (Dagkas, 2011).

Literature Review

Globally sports are seen to be dominated bymen and there are many men in sport, be itbe individual or team sports. The games havebeen engendered, separated as masculineand feminine sports (Bucher, Wuest, 2006).

Women can be empowered by providingthem chances to participate in sports, theinvolvement in sports is helpful in polishing andenhancing the women’s skills all matters of life(Fassihi, 2009).

Cont’d

Islam provides the same rights for men andwomen in all spheres and areas of life men andwomen are encouraged to help one another(Benn, 2011).

Women still have to face many hurdles but withthe proper support they can accomplishwhatever they put their minds to (Abbas, 2011).

According to the Women Sports and FitnessFoundation Report 2008, The probable causes oflow participation of women can be grouped intothree major categories Practical Barriers, Personalbarriers and Social and cultural barriers.

Objectives

To find out the factors that pose as an obstacle(s) for university level sportswomen, in sports participation.

To know the perception of the sportswomen of university level regarding the attitude of community members towards their participation in sports.

To find out the perception about the benefits of being a sportswoman.

Methodology

The research was qualitative in nature

Sampling was purposive, sample was sportswomen of university level.

Interviews were held in one on one session to get the responses.

Thematic analysis was done in to see the social and cultural discriminatory practices.

Major Themes Identified

Motivation and Benefits

Facilities and Venues

Gender Based Discrimination

Influence of Family Support

Religion and women in sports

Encouragement Strategies

Limitations of Research

Time deficiency, the sample size was kept small to

work with, couldn’t interview a larger group.

Some aspects could not be used in the interview

guide like the amount of training time, respondents

satisfaction with trainers and respondents were

given proper training time.

Data was collected from university level sports-

women only.

Conclusion

The study found that it is the socio-cultural norms like

familial values, sports being thought as to be arena

of men, lack of opportunities and lack of platforms

for sportswomen are play a vital role in the

participation of the women.

Women have to face the stereotypical gender

based discrimination which creates hurdles in their

meaningful and active participation in sports.

Recommendations

There should be appreciation of girls and women in sports,providing motivation to the female in sports, this can help toeliminate or decrease the discriminatory practices.

Need to design sports courses which would be implementedin the educational institutions for providing the knowledge togirls at a young age.

Female coaches and trainers should be hired for all girl teams,creating a separate platform for women’s sports participation.

Media should include participation of women in sports in newsas a normal concept and the gender discrimination should beeliminated

Motivation and Benefits

Sports celebrities are seen as inspiration

and motivational characters.

Social Confidence after meeting people

Psychological relaxed, and positive

thinking

Facilities and Venues

The facilities and venues are available to

students only by registration, but those

students who have to pitch in financially

were not as satisfied as others.

Gender Based Discrimination

Gen. segregation of sports- (basket ball

net ball)- Men – Women resp.

Priority to boys

Low recognition of women in sports

Family Support

It is essential in our society, it may differ

from one family to another.

Needed for full consent of parent to send

their children (girls) to different areas for

tournaments, (cities, even international)

Religion

Islam does not dis-approve of such

activity.

As long as women are in proper attire

(being fully covered)

Encouragement strategies Funds from Govt. to sports depts.

Female coaches to be hired.

Inclining girls from young age towards sports.

Acknowledging the women in sports.