The third TO GATHER TOGETHER project meeticolours,evelopingk place in Barcelona from April 15 to 17, 2023, bringing together various associations including ASD Evoluzione e Benessere, VŠĮ Sportukime Kartu, Club Atlético de Queluz, and Club de Gimnastica La Mina - Gervasio Deffer. Thanks proposedpport of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, this meeting provided a platform to discuss the vital role of sport in combating gender stereotypes within the realm of athletics.
During the meeting, the participants focused on the development of sessions 3 and 4 of the "To gather together" method. In the first phase, the emphasis was on identifying best practices and interventions to address gender discrimination in sports. Over 50 structural interventions were proposed, aimed at promoting gender equality and inclusivity within the sporting arena.
To foster an inclusive environment, the following measures were discussed:
Avoid using traditional gender-associated colors, such as pink or blue, to identify the gender of participants or teams, as this may not make all young athletes feel comfortable.
Use gender-neutral terminology when describing performances, such as referring to individuals as 'athletes' instead of 'man' or 'woman'.
Refrain from using discriminatory phrases that emphasize gender differences, such as "she plays very well for a girl" or "boys are naturally stronger than girls."
Promote gender equality in sports activities by organizing mixed competitions and ensuring equal prizes for male and female winners in each discipline.
Offer equal training and coaching opportunities to participants of all genders.
Encourage athletes of all genders to participate in various disciplines, from dance to football, discouraging the categorization of sports as exclusively 'male' or 'female'.
Support and promote each athlete and the values of inclusion through the sports association's communication platforms, including the website, social media, and press releases.
Respect athletes' privacy, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as gender identity, by providing gender-neutral changing rooms, if possible.
Utilize sporting events as a platform to raise awareness of gender equality, sharing information on gender issues and actionable steps to combat them.
Strive to involve a diverse group of people in the planning and organization of sports activities, ensuring a gender balance.
In addition, participants were encouraged to present examples of collateral activities that could be implemented in sports associations. The method suggested involving parents and children in regular discussions every three months to explore gender equality processes and the impact of the approach on individuals both within and outside the association.
Some examples of suggested activities included:
Involving fathers in accompanying and preparing girls for lessons and performances in sports typically considered unsuitable for boys, such as dance, thereby challenging gender stereotypes.
Ensuring that clothing and accessories worn during lessons or sports events are comfortable and suitable for all genders, without limiting boys' imagination in creating costumes for recitals, for instance.
Encouraging girls to participate in sports traditionally considered 'masculine,' like football or basketball, and creating mixed teams where boys and girls can play together.
Introducing unconventional sports games and activities, such as climbing or parkour, to encourage a greater diversity of participants and break gender stereotypes.
Discouraging the use of sexist or discriminatory phrases or comments during lessons or sports events, fostering an environment of respect and inclusion for all participants.
Ensuring the presence of female athletes as role models and encouraging girls to participate in successful sporting events to demonstrate that success in sport is not exclusive to men.
Encouraging parents to create awareness-raising campaigns on gender issues in sports and promoting the importance of gender equality in sporting activities, showcasing that it is a value embraced by the entire family.
8. Providing training to sports staff members, coaches, and parents on how to combat gender stereotypes and create an inclusive environment for all participants.
Collaborating with other organizations or schools to organize mixed sports events, promoting diversity and inclusion.
During the meeting, graphics were also developed for printing roll-ups and creating carousels on social media platforms, ensuring visual representation of the project's objectives.
The second part of the meeting focused on the creation of activities aimed at promoting gender equality between boys and girls during training sessions. These activities were developed in accordance with David Kolbe's cycle of experiential learning. They address sensitive issues surrounding gender stereotypes while fostering cooperation, participation, and experiential learning.
Furthermore, video tutorials showcasing shared training exercises for males and females were presented during the meeting. These tutorials can be accessed on the project's website at https://tgteuproject.wixsite.com/tgteuproject.
The TO GATHER TOGETHER project meeting in Barcelona served as a significant platform for associations and stakeholders to come together and address the pressing issue of gender stereotypes in sports. By implementing the discussed interventions and activities, the project aims to create a more inclusive and equal sporting environment for athletes of all genders. With the support of the Erasmus+ Programme, this initiative strives to inspire positive change and pave the way for a future where gender equality is celebrated in the world of sports.
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