Historically speaking, the level of funding for women’s sports in developing countries is lower than in the U.S. and Western European countries. This lack of funding combined with a paucity of news coverage of female athletes and a culture of machismo has led to low participation rates for women in sports.  Yet, when women do play, they gain a multitude of benefits beyond physical strength, among them: confidence, mental health, a sense of community and strength to pursue their dreams.  These benefits empower women and serve as a vehicle for breaking traditional social roles and molds.

 

A formal international movement to promote equality in sports began in 1994 when the International Working Group on Women and Sport was founded. A year later, delegates at the United Nation’s Fourth World Conference on Women outlined the importance of including sports and physical activity in women’s lives for the first time. Later that same year, in 1995, the International Olympic Committee formed their commission on women. Since then, these and other multinational organizations have led the way towards increasing parity. While attitudes in developing countries are changing at a slower pace - change is happening. As a result, attitudes among government officials and development agencies, who had previously been less interested in funding sports initiatives citing other more pressing inequities, have begun to change. This change results in wider acceptance that women who play sports gain skills that equip them to face life challenges with greater confidence and endurance. (Chappell, R. 1999. “Sport in Developing Countries: Opportunities for Girls and Women,” Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 8, no. 2, 1-16.). Still, funding for women’s sports programs remains low.

 

Most studies linking women’s participation in sports to positive health and social benefits have been conducted in the United States and Western European countries. Various studies conclude that girls who play sports in the U.S. have reported higher levels of self esteem and self confidence. (See the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 1997; Blinde, Elaine M., Diane E. Taub, and Lingling Han.  1993.  “Sport Participation and Women’s Personal Empowerment:  Experiences of the College Athlete.”  Journal of Sport & Social Issues 17:47-60. )  

 

Studies conducted in Nigeria, Kenya and Central Asia reveal that girls reported an increased ability to overcome challenges and strength to pursue goals and combat oppression, suggesting that women of developing nations benefit in many ways. (Chappell, R. (1999). “Sport in Developing Countries: Opportunities for Girls and Women,” Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 8, no. 2, 1-16.); Anyanwu, S.U. 1980 International Review for the Sociology of Sport, Vol. 15, No. 1, 85-95 (1980); Issues in and Patterns of Women's Participation in Sports in Nigeria; Letting girls play: The Mathare Youth Sport Association’s football program for girls (Brady & Khan, 2002)).