Gender and Sport

This article was written by Group 8 in , as part of the .

About: Gender and Sport

According to GENDER & SPORT Mainstreaming Gender in Sports Projects in November 2003, UN Resolution 58/5 was adopted which called on governments to use sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace. Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC sees sport as a low-cost, high-impact intervention. Until recently however, there was no coherent thinking on sport and development. Sports projects were supported by development agencies, including SDC, on a case-by-case basis. SDC supports projects and programmes, communication campaigns, conferences and festivals, and provides funds for sports infrastructures and equipment. It focuses on targeting marginalised groups – ethnic minorities, women, disabled people, child soldiers – and gives support to NGOs, aid agencies and sports associations. SDC Sports Policy is implemented in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports and operates within the framework of the Magglingen Declaration.OECD GENDER & SPORT Mainstreaming Gender in Sports Projects

Why is it important to look at gender and sport?

Sports Sport is a social and cultural process in which social constructions of masculinity and femininity play a key role:

1.Sport is traditionally associated with masculinity. Which is considered inappropriate for women to engage in sports. Conversely, men who do not engage in sports or who are not talented in sports may be labelled as unmanly. Yet, it is evident that there is no one masculinity or femininity, and sport could provide a space where masculinity and femininity are re-negotiated rather than re-affirmed in their dominant acceptation.

2.The practice of sport is related to a number of assumptions about work and leisure, which are often lived differently by men and women. Caring for the sick and elderly, raising children, and other work in the home – reproductive activities still predominantly carried out by women and girls – are generally not socially and economically recognized as work. Bring with them the right to have time off work for leisure.

3.Some societies value sport as productive in that it contributes to the physical health of the workforce, especially that engaged in manual labour. Despite the fact that, at least in some markets, an increasing number of women compose the workforce, sports may be valued when practiced by men and be seen as a waste of time when practiced by women.

4.Women and men tend to engage in different types of physical activity and their attitudes towards sport may be very different. The competitive dimensions of many sports may for some be at the heart of the game, while for others, sports may simply be an opportunity to get together. Being identified and identifying oneself as belonging to a particular culture, ethnic group, socio-economic class or caste also plays a role in how one engages in sports.

Case Studies:

Women’s sport in Thailand

Sport empowers girls – UNESCOUNESCO sport programme in Thailand promoteS gender equality through sport in Thailand.
UNESCO Bangkok jointly with Bangkok Prep School, Right to Play Thailand Foundation and Duang Prateep Foundation organized (Thailand): Girls receive less education because of different gender expectations. Domestic work, marriage and motherhood prevents girls from enjoying sport and play. Sport allows women and girls to participate in their communities and promotes freedom, personal networks and other opportunities. Women as sport leaders challenges gender based stereotypes and provides positive role-models for other women. The participation of women and girls in sports promotes gender equality because it challenges gender stereotypes and discrimination thus access to physical education and sport increases confidence for girls and reduces their social vulnerability.
Thailand has many organizations to help women or girls from discrimination and develop the potential of women such as Banthongyord Badminton School (BTY) and Thailand women’s national football team controlled by Football association of Thailand (FAT)Thai football team Wikipedia page and others. In case of Banthongyord Badminton School is very successful because Banthongyord has won several important medals, such as the 2013 women’s single title on World Championship and the girl’s single title on World Junior Championship in three consecutive years (2009, 2010, and 2011)Banthongyord team webpage. Thailand women’s national football team is very successful too especially in 2014( 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup), Thailand women’s football team got first FIFA Women’s World cup.

Situation and Women’s policy in Thailand

Due to Thailand has signed the convention on the elimination of discrimination against women (The convention on the Elimination All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW) Beijing Declaration and the plan of action for the advancement of women (Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action) with the constitution of the kingdom of Thailand BE 2550, Section 30 stipulates that persons are equal before the law and equal protection of the laws. Men and women have equal rights. In addition, in 2009 the Office of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is responsible for the process of developing standards and indicator of equality between women and men, in order to track the development of women in country, which consists of four standards 1) Equality in dignity 2) Social equality 3) Equality status in family and 4) Equality involvement in economy. Overall, it was found that gender equality in Thailand in 4 standards data, it is a clear indication that the gender equality standards are still below the standard.Women Networks Reshaping Thailand

References

Group 8

Mr.Sittiporn Klinhomdee (สิทธิพร กลิ่นหอมดี) No.54148010134
Mr.Suriya Phar-amnart(สุริยา ผาอำนาจ No.54148010141
Mr.Anekphong Tupan (เอนกพงศ์ ตู๋ปาน) No.54148010209
Mr.Thianrawit Singhapan(เธียรวิทย์ สิงหพันธุ์) No.54148010349
Mr.Nattapon Sermsakul(นัทพล เสริมสกุล) No.54148010356