Gender Sensitive Programming for Women and Girls

The interviewed sport clubs identified difficulty in engaging refugee women and girls. Specifically, they reported challenges in:

1. The refugee demographic

2. The female ‘disinterest’ in sport

3. Socio-cultural gender norms

The sport organizations identified successful strategies to increase participation of women and girls:

• Creating an inclusive environment

• Shifting the focus from competitive to non-competitive

• Setting up parallel female-only structures/programs

• Using female coaches and role models

Based on the findings of the research, five recommendations were identified to improve the gender sensitivity of programs and increase the number of women and girls.

Implement a gender-sensitive recruitment strategy

• Actively use female players and coaches in the recruitment strategy. The visibility of female role models will make women and girls more aware that the programming is also meant for them.

• Expand the demographic to include women from other marginalized communities.

Actively address stereotypes

• Address stereotypes in both the recruitment strategy and the programs.

• Having female coaches as role models is a critical aspect of addressing stereotypes.

Set up parallel girls-only structures

• Some girls can feel less comfortable participating in mixed-gender environments.

• It is also important to have boys and girls play in a mixed-gender environment to challenge stereotypes actively. Therefore, up to age 15, mixed-gender sessions are encouraged.

Shift focus from competitive to fun or low-threshold approach

• The competitive approach is undesirable for some female participants as it reinforces ‘masculine’ stereotypes and confirms male superiority in sport.

Review practical measures to improve accessibility for women

• Listen to women and girls participating in the programs or those considering participating on what practical measures are needed to overcome challenges they face to participate.