Sport has for long been a platform for empowerment, breaking barriers, and inspiring women to achieve greatness.
However, beneath the surface lies a troubling reality.
Women and girls in sport are disproportionately subject to violence, abuse, and discrimination—a systemic issue that often goes unnoticed or unaddressed.
On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, it’s crucial to confront the numbers that paint a grim picture.
The United Nations recently highlighted alarming statistics about violence against women, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change, especially in the world of sports.
These statistics don’t just tell a story; they reveal a pattern of neglect, inequality, and abuse that must be dismantled to ensure sport remains a safe space for everyone.
Violence against women and girls is a pervasive global issue, with one in three women experiencing violence in their lifetime.
Within the world of sport, this problem takes on unique forms, including sexual abuse, harassment, and physical violence, often compounded by ineffective prevention mechanisms.
Alarmingly, 21% of women in sport from across the globe report having experienced sexual abuse as a child when playing sport, with these numbers and instances likely underreported due to fear, stigma, and systemic failure to address the issue.
Despite these harrowing realities, sport has the transformative potential to empower women and girls, boost confidence, and promote leadership.
India’s uncomfortable silence
Sudeva Delhi FC’s short-lived attempt to appoint Alex Ambrose as head coach last year raised unsettling questions about accountability in Indian sports.
Ambrose, sacked as the assistant coach of the Indian women’s U-17 team for alleged sexual misconduct during a training tour in Europe, was reportedly on the club’s radar until social media backlash forced a retreat.
While the All India Football Federation (AIFF) described the move as “unacceptable,” its subsequent silence has been deafening.
An arrest warrant was issued for Ambrose in February 2023, but updates have since vanished.
This lack of transparency is not an isolated incident.
Between 2017 and 2022, 28 sexual harassment complaints were reported in government-run sports institutes, with coaches accounting for 34 allegations between 2012 and 2022.
Worse, 16 of 30 national sports federations do not comply with PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) laws, failing to form mandatory internal complaints committees.
India’s sports ecosystem appears content to sweep uncomfortable truths under the rug, even as public trust erodes.
A crisis of intersectionality and underrepresentation
Intersectionality is key to understanding the risks women face in sport.
Factors like age, race, disability, and socioeconomic background magnify vulnerabilities.
Studies reveal shocking statistics. For instance, a study in Kenya reporter that 64% of university athletes that are women cite having experienced sexual harassment.
Back home in India, Indian women in sport frequently experience abuse from male coaches.
Online abuse is another frontier that women constantly grapple with. Incidentally, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, 87% of abusive posts were directed towards athletes that were women.
The prevalence of male-dominated spaces in sport, such as coaching (with women coaching fewer than 10% of men’s teams globally) and journalism (where fewer than 10% of reporters are female), perpetuates systemic barriers.
Funding disparities are equally stark at events that feature women.
Broadcasters of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Germany offered just 3% of the amount spent on men’s tournaments. Similarly, the women’s FA Cup winners receive a mere £5,000 compared to their men’s counterparts who are awarded £1.5 million.
Globally, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence, a figure that echoes within the sports community.
Female athletes, often seen as symbols of strength and resilience, face significant risks that are largely underreported.
A study by the UN found that 40% of female respondents in sports reported incidents of inappropriate behavior that made them feel uncomfortable, compared to just 19% of male respondents.
Alarmingly, 14% of women in sports reported being subjected to coercive control, further highlighting the vulnerabilities they face.
Sexual harassment is a prevalent issue, with 28% of women in sports reporting experiences of unsolicited sexual advances or inappropriate comments from coaches, team members, or officials.
Psychological abuse is equally rampant; 38% of female athletes revealed they had endured persistent verbal insults, demeaning treatment, or mental manipulation during their careers.
The need for systemic change
The statistics are backed by countless testimonies of women who have faced violence and abuse in sports.
Reports cite a skater who recalled how her coach would physically harm her with a toe-pick, belittling her during training sessions.
Similarly, a university athlete described how her coach manipulated her with threats about her scholarship, locking doors to isolate her and forcing inappropriate physical contact.
These accounts highlight a culture where abusive behaviors are normalized or ignored, leaving victims feeling trapped and powerless.
Intersectionality deepens this crisis; factors such as age, race, and socio-economic background create additional barriers for many women to report abuse or access justice.
The path to eliminating violence against women in sports requires a multi-pronged approach.
Sports organizations must implement and enforce stringent safeguarding policies, create independent reporting mechanisms, and prioritize athlete well-being over institutional reputation.
Bridging the gender gap is essential, not just in representation but in funding, training, and media coverage.
Educating athletes, coaches, and stakeholders about recognizing and addressing abuse is crucial.
Efforts should also focus on amplifying women’s voices in sports, ensuring they are not just participants but equal stakeholders.
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