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Enjoyed talking about the impact of Covid-19 on women's sport, including the dominance of men's sport & visibility at today's @CommonsDCMS among other issues. Some follow up thoughts on where we see challenges & opportunities on this particular topic
On women's activity levels - v important to note that pre Covid, more women than ever were active across England. Over the past year numbers up 200k and overall in recent years supported by our campaign @ThisGirlCanUK numbers up 500k and the gender gap consistently down.
Not to say there aren't challenges - gender gap persists & girls consistently less active than boys but coming from a place of growth. Same true of elite sport - 2019 exposure - World Cups in Netball, Football & Cricket - massive & visibility does matter to growth & numbers
We've been tracking activity levels during Covid via @OKeefeLisa & team & women's activity on downward trend - at its worst 10% gender gap. All usual barriers exacerbated.Research from @Womeninsport_uk bear out that the amplifying of gender stereotypical roles has made it worse
Interestingly GIRLS activity is UP during lockdown and they're doing more than boys. Partly we think this is bc of boys' reliance on team sport but sharp reminder that if you empower girls to do activity they want to do & not offer the same old, it works!
On elite sport- invisibility has been widely commented on but to me this perfectly tells the story of women's sport. Things improving massively but we are decades behind & at a time when resources & investment are needed to get pro sport back,historical underinvestment is biting
And tbf this isn't just about men's v women's sport - this is about sports and leagues that have resources to do mass testing; lock down venues etc v those who have less. Women's sport making huge strides but Covid has shone a light on equalities and sport is no different. ENDS!
