A key component of the equity strand of sportscotland’s ethics programme is our work on gender equity. This includes work to achieve equity between women and men in sport. However, as research shows that women and girls are significantly underrepresented at all levels in sport, increasing participation by women and girls in sport has been idintified as a key challenge within our Corporate Plan 2007-2011. Therefore, women and girls sport is a priority area for investment and support.
Women, girls and sport
According to the 2001 census figures, women comprise 52% of the Scottish population. However, women and girls are under-represented in many areas of sports participation in Scotland, and often at senior levels in terms of coaching and sports management. According to sportscotland’s participation figures, almost half of adult women in Scotland (43%) participate in little or no sport at all, and 79% of girls aged 8-15 do not see being fit and healthy as important. In terms of coaching, 76% of all coaches in Scotland are male, and the proportion of female coaches decreases at more senior levels. For example, the majority of women have level 1 and 2 coaching qualifications, and only 10% of Olympic coaches are female. Similarly, as shown in sportscotland’s Women in Sports Leadership research from 2004, women are underrepresented in terms of sports governance: for example, the research showed that only 18% of sport clubs and 20% of Scottish governing bodies had a female chair.
Therefore, taking steps to increase participation of women and girls in all aspects of sport is a key area of focus for sportscotland.