The urgent need for structural reform in global sports
Farzad Youshanlou
October 12, 2024

Reem Alsalam’s recent 24-page report as the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women has ignited a crucial conversation about the abuse and discrimination that female athletes continue to face across all levels of sport. It’s a striking indictment of the global sports world, yet her findings point to an even larger issue: the International Olympic Committee, though powerful, cannot bring about the necessary changes alone. International sports federations, governments, and sports organizations must commit to a broad structural overhaul to ensure safety and equality for women athletes.

The report emphasizes the abuse and discrimination faced by women in sports, including sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and the structural inequalities that perpetuate these abuses. From high-profile cases like the gymnastics sexual abuse scandals to grassroots-level violations, it is clear that violence against women athletes is rampant. While some of these issues have been brought to light by a free press, much remains hidden in authoritarian regimes, where media control conceals such abuses. Tragedies associated with the former president of the Wrestling Federation of India and the former secretary general of the European Karate Federation are among the few incidents in the world of sports that have not been seriously investigated. Additionally, Reem Alsalam has highlighted similar cases in her report.

Indian sports and social activists protest in support of Indian wrestlers against the sport’s local federation chief over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation in Kolkata. 18.May.2023

In countries where freedom of speech and press are restricted, female athletes face a nearly impossible struggle. In Afghanistan and Iran, women are barred from participating in several sports, including swimming, wrestling, cycling, equestrian, water polo, diving, bodybuilding, gymnastics and boxing. Their fights for the right to participate are often met with severe consequences. They face restrictions even to go to sports stadiums, as in the case of Sahar Khodayari, known as “Blue Girl.” Her tragic death after being arrested for attempting to enter a football stadium in Iran is a stark reminder of the systemic oppression women athletes face. The absence of a strong response from global sports organizations like FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in such instances only adds to the injustice.

POLITICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL DYNAMICS

One of the core challenges that is not highlighted by Alsalam’s report is the way sports governance is tied to political and ideological structures within various countries. In patriarchal systems, sports are often weaponized to reinforce traditional gender roles, sidelining women from participation. Even in countries that celebrate gender parity in competitions—like at the 2024 Paris Olympics—true equality is far from achieved. The number of female athletes from middle eastern countries, for instance, remains alarmingly low.

International sports organizations must address the stark inequalities in participation from women in these regions. Instead of simply focusing on promoting gender equality in Western nations, the global sports community must look to empower women worldwide, creating pathways for participation and representation, no matter the local political climate.

Alsalam’s report also delves into the glaring gender imbalance in sports governance, where women remain woefully underrepresented. According to the Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport, only 7% of international sports federations under the Olympic umbrella had female presidents, and just 18% had female secretary generals in 2022. This imbalance is systemic, and without addressing it, progress toward gender equality in sports will remain superficial.

Patriarchal systems have a tight grip on leadership positions within the sports world. Even when women run for top roles, they face numerous barriers. The race for the IOC presidency, which saw only one female candidate against six men, exemplifies these challenges. International sports federations must do more to ensure women not only participate in sports but also have the power to influence how sports are governed. Until then, gender parity in leadership will remain a distant goal.

Alsalam’s critique of the compulsory dress codes imposed on women athletes in countries like Afghanistan and Iran, and the contrasting ban on Islamic dress in France, reveals another layer of discrimination women face in sports. These policies infringe on women’s rights, both restricting their autonomy and limiting their participation. Yet, international organizations have largely remained silent on these issues. By failing to fully address the rights of female athletes affected by religious dress codes, international sports federations continue to allow discriminatory practices to persist. The lack of action from entities like the IOC, human rights groups, and sports organisations shows a reluctance to challenge these deeply ingrained societal norms.

GENDER TESTING PROTOCOLS

A contentious issue raised in Alsalam’s report is the categorization of male and female athletes in sports. The question of gender testing has long been a point of debate, with human rights activists generally opposing it. Alsalam, however, argues that gender testing should be allowed, provided it is conducted in a way that respects the dignity of the athletes. Her stance differs from the more traditional opposition to gender testing, as she believes that a more nuanced approach is needed to prevent discrimination while ensuring fairness in competition.

A recent controversy at the Paris Olympics involving Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting underscores how gender testing can become a battleground for both human rights and fairness in sports. The mismanagement of the issue by both the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the IOC exposed the fragility of the current system, leaving athletes caught in the crossfire.

Reem Alsalam’s report is a call to action for structural reform across the global sports landscape. Symbolic gestures or incremental reforms are not enough to address the deep-rooted issues facing women in sports. True gender equality will only be achieved when sports federations create a framework that protects female athletes, ensures their participation in leadership roles, and dismantles the patriarchal systems that continue to dominate the field.

The time for structural change in global sports is long overdue. It’s not just about including more women on the field; it’s about overhauling the entire system—from governance to athlete protection—so that sports can become a place of equality, safety, and opportunity for all. The voices of female athletes, especially those from marginalized and repressed backgrounds, must be amplified, and their rights protected. Only then can the global sports community claim to stand for equality and justice.

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