Women call for equality in sport

WOMEN in sports have expressed their disappointment at the gender inequality that still exists in the industry, despite progress made in the 44 years since Zimbabwe gained independence. The challenges facing female athletes include unequal pay, harassment and a lack of sponsorship and appreciation, according to women involved in local sports.

Women’s football administrator Samukeliso Silengane lamented the role played by the media in perpetuating the inequalities, saying that reports on events involving female athletes often receive less coverage than their male counterparts. “Sports sponsorship by the donor community, which includes big corporates, should be extended to both male and female sports in order to promote equality.

“If the media changes its tune and starts to angle women in sport differently, then greater visibility for women’s sport will inspire future generations. Higher attendance at women’s games will send a message of a closing gap in gender inequality,” Silengane said.
Former footballer Sizolwethu Dube echoed this, saying that people were unwilling to pay to watch women’s games, which made investment in female athletes unprofitable.

“I will put it out as it is. People pay to watch sporting action involving males, but no one is willing to pay to watch women’s games.
That is why sometimes it is not profitable to invest in female athletes or teams as with their male counterparts. It is discouraging.
“We are still far from achieving equality in the sports fraternity. Until we get to pay to watch women’s matches just as we do for the men’s games, provide equal salaries and improve training facilities for women, maybe then we can start to speak of equality,” said Dube.

A coach at Bulawayo Galaxy, a girls’ football team, Watson Phiri, said that the gap between women and men was huge and depressing.
“In countries like the United States, gender equality is being implemented in sports, particularly football, but in Zimbabwe girls are struggling even though they are talented,” said Phiri. Sexism, stereotyping and prejudice are what has brought down efforts to empower women in sport, according to Karen Dube, a fitness enthusiast.

She said women are far from gaining equality as they are mainly seen as wives and mothers before anything.
“We haven’t reached that stage yet where we can confirm equality in sports because while pushing for that motion, women end up being objectified and exposed to sexual harassment.”