Sports involves physical fitness, dedication, training sessions and many more tedious activities. Female participation in sports has improved since the 20th century and a lot of changes have been brought in for the betterment of women.
The top states where participation in sports is the highest are the southern states of Tamil Nadu (54%), Maharashtra (53%) and Punjab & Haryana accounted for 15% of the population who participate in sports. Though the level of involvement has increased, women still face discrimination to a great extent and even today sports isn’t a preferred career for the women. Sexism in sports is the most common mode of discrimination. Also a research by BBC found that 42% of the respondents did not find women’s sports to be as entertaining as men’s. ( https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-51701924 )
Sports in Childhood
Even as young babies, girls aren’t given the priority and choices just like the boys of the family. The dresses, toys and even food is provided to the girl children which belong to the so called girl’s category.
Considering sports, girls are asked only to play indoor games or games that involve less physical movements. When girls try to indulge in actual sports, they are usually asked by their parents not to get involved in such sports and that they would end up getting injuries and also get dark skinned by playing under the scorching sun.
They are taught to engage in cooking and taking care of others which is also necessary but not by setting aside what they really like. Schools too have the same scenario where the sports teacher is keen on teaching good sports to the boys but sets the girls aside.
Sports in Adulthood
The girls who are supported by their parents despite the criticisms from other family members or their society, reach great heights in sports. But when decisions like marriage proposals arise, the usual scenario involves the aspects like the groom’s family wanting a girl with long hair, good job, cooking skills etc. As we are all aware that women involved in sports acquire a built-body, prefer short hair and also want to get involved in sports even after marriage.
People often say that the life of a sportswoman always ends after giving birth but we have perfect examples like Sania Mirza, Serena Williams, and Saina Nehwal who can never be stopped from pursuing what they want. Mary Kom who was highly criticised never accepted it and continued working for her career.
Female athletes who returned to action after giving birth – https://www.yardbarker.com/general_sports/articles/female_athletes_who_returned_to_action_after_giving_birth/s1__26716052
I decided that until I achieve it, I won’t quit
Mary Kom
She certainly says that it is not easy but we must never accept the preconceived ideas that a woman can never indulge in sports after giving birth. Yes, it is true that a female body would find it really difficult to cope up with all the training but it is not impossible and all they need is good support from their family and self-vigour. The movie ‘Panga’ shows the similar journey of a sportswoman.
Not easy to comeback after getting married and having children: Mary Kom – https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/mary-kom-agenda-aajtak-motherhood-tokyo-olympics-2020-dreams-1628746-2019-12-16
Society and the rules
The Indian society has a lot of cultures which are also called ‘SANSKARS’ and so there are a lot of rules that are just imposed on women. Women in sports wear short clothes, have short hair and also have a more confident attitude which the men find difficult to digest. Women are objectified for various reasons like these and have received only ‘NO’s for everything they have desired for. Harassment of women in sports is almost a common problem nowadays.
The Sports academies and organizations that support women also are least supported with the funds that are necessary for their functioning. Even by winning national and international games, women being side-lined is still prevalent. Recognition given to women’s sports is extremely low.
Way Forward
• Sportswomen are paid half or less than the sportsmen and this has to be improved.
• Representation of women on social media, biopics, books etc. has to be given more importance. People recognize the sportsmen more and hardly mention any sports women anywhere.
• Objectification of women by the coaches, umpires, judges etc. can never be justified and this matter needs to have stricter laws.
• Women in sports after a certain age find it hard to manage the financial needs and often end up having no jobs.
Lots of movies based on sports (mostly being biopics) have already proven that women shouldn’t be considered to be incapable of doing sports. More laws for the protection and betterment of sportswomen have to be created to empower the sportswomen of our country.
Please go through the following links for more information:
- Gender Discrimination in Sports in India – https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2021/03/gender-bias-in-the-world-of-sports/
- Challenges faced by sports women in India – http://mief.in/challeneges-faced-by-sports-women-in-india/
- Why women in India are not choosing a career in sports? – https://medium.com/@aditiathaley/why-women-in-india-are-not-choosing-a-career-in-sports-bae09ae919f0
- Women who have changed the face of the sports industry in India – https://www.chaseyoursport.com/Sports/Women-who-have-changed-the-face-of-the-sports-industry-in-India/490
