SPORTS AND WELLNESS
Issue 9: Gender restrictions
It was found that the current sports and fitness scene is perceived to be a
largely male-dominated space. When asked about their level of involvement
in sports, at least 8 out of 10 of the seminar’s male participants reflected that
they were involved in at least one sport on a regular basis. Whereas, less than a
quarter of the female participants said that they were involved in sports. This
was an issue that facilitators were keen on understanding - that of the lack of
female participation in sports and how to make the sporting scene more
inclusive.
The discussions highlighted that young women are interested in taking part
in inter-gender sporting events. The male participants in the group, however,
expressed a tangible level of reluctance. This stemmed from their concern over
the safety of their female counterparts especially with regards to sports with
body contact.
This asymmetry in perspective and interest levels can be used to explain the
aforementioned, male-dominated sports scene trend that is widely prevalent in
the Indian community. Female participants shared that making opportunities
available for inter-gender sporting interactions would help overcome this
asymmetry and cultivate a sporting environment that will benefit both genders.
Especially creating a safe space for young men and young women to
understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses in the sporting realm.
Maathi Yosi | 2019
47