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What challenges do female athletes face in a largely male-dominated sports industry and how can they be addressed?

Leesa Wanklin

Female athletes have come a long way in the sports industry, but there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving equality. The industry is largely male-dominated, creating many obstacles for female athletes to overcome. These challenges are particularly tough because many of them are deeply ingrained in the industry's culture and structures. It's crucial to have more conversations about these challenges so that we can find ways to address them.

One of the biggest challenges female athletes face is a lack of exposure or visibility. Many sports networks, sponsors, and media outlets focus primarily on men's sports, relegating women's sports to the background. This means that female athletes have fewer opportunities to showcase their abilities to potential sponsors, which can ultimately hurt their earning potential. This lack of exposure also means that young girls and women have fewer role models to look up to in the sports industry, making it harder for them to envision a career in sports.

Another significant challenge female athletes face is the gender pay gap. Despite the fact that women are achieving top results in their respective sports, they're still being paid less than men. The pay gap is a result of various factors, including a lack of sponsorships and endorsements for women's sports, fewer opportunities for female athletes to compete at the highest levels, and media networks' under-representation of women's sports.

Sexism and harassment are other obstacles many female athletes face. Women are often subject to derogatory comments about their appearance and are objectified by the media. Female athletes are also frequently subjected to sexual harassment, which can undermine their confidence and make them feel unsafe. This behavior is unacceptable and needs to be called out and addressed to make the sports industry safer for female athletes.

To address these issues, there needs to be a concerted effort by all players in the sports industry. Sponsors and media networks need to give equal exposure to female athletes and pay them the respect and recognition they deserve. Athletes' unions and sports organizations need to be more pro-active in challenging misogyny and sexism in the sports industry and fully implementing anti-harassment policies.

Additionally, more resources need to be put into developing women's sports programs. Women need access to quality coaching, facilities, and training programs to perform at their best. This will attract more girls and women into sports and provide a more substantial pool of talent for the industry to draw from.

Finally, there needs to be an increase in representation of women in sports governance. The diverse group of leaders can have a significant impact on addressing the challenges, including the gender pay gap and sexual harassment. By diversifying leadership teams, the industry can benefit from the different experiences and perspectives that women bring to the table.

In conclusion, Female athletes have made significant strides in the sports industry, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to achieve equality. Addressing the challenges female athletes face requires the whole industry to work together, and it starts by increasing exposure, challenging sexism, and investing in women's sports programs. By encouraging female athletes and creating an equitable playing field, we can inspire a new generation of female athletes and change the face of the sports industry.