Problematic Norms and Policies
Gender Based Violence in Sport Settings
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Melanie Lang
Policy on or relating to gender-based violence (GBV) in sport settings has a relatively recent history. This paper traces developments in this area at a European level and within individual EU Member States’ national frameworks. In doing so, it draws on data gathered in 2016 as part of a study commissioned by the European Commission’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency to, among others, describe the current situation regarding GBV in sport at the EU Member State, European Union and international levels. The paper also identifies key issues with existing policy and practice across the EU, and makes recommendations for European organisations, EU Member States and sports organisations to raise awareness of and implement initiatives to manage and prevent GBV in and through sport.
Exploring Athletic Officials Ability to be Key Players in Preventing Gender-based Violence
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Dessie Clark
In recent years, gender-based violence in athletics has gained national attention. Often, these conversations have focused on athletes as perpetrators, and the institutions that house them as toxic structures. Most conversations have neglected the role that athletic officials play in reinforcing problematic gender norms and gender-based violence, both directly and indirectly. This presentation will focus on the beliefs, attitudes, actions, and reactions that make it difficult, if not impossible, for athletic officials to take a key role in preventing gender-based violence. The findings of this mixed-methods study highlight the barriers that athletic officials face in tackling these issues with their colleagues, coaches, and athletes.
Gender-based Sport Empowerment: A Theoretical Mapping of the Go Sisters Programme in Zambia
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Oscar Mwaanga
The notion of empowerment within the sport for development and peace (SDP) sector has burgeoned during the last decade, but despite popularity in policy and practice, there has been an absence of literature progressing sport based empowerment theorising. This paper responds to the call for theory development and application, which is seen as one way to progress the field. Thus, this paper attempts to apply, develop and refine gender-based sport empowerment (GBSE) as a theoretical framework through the work of the Zambian based Go Sisters programme. The analysis moves away from the simplistic application of gender and empowerment within SDP to reveal the mechanisms and social processes that enable women and girls to increase their capabilities to improve control over important life matters. We conclude that future conceptualisations of GBSE should account for the idiosyncratic nature and complexity of "gender" and its interplay with different dimensions of empowerment.
