Gendered Realities
Analysis of Gender-Based Violence in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Degree at INEFC (University of Barcelona)
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ingrid Hinojosa Alcalde, Pedrona Serra, Susanna Soler
Gender-based violence remains a critical issue within educational institutions worldwide, affecting the safety, well-being, and learning experiences of students and staff. This study analyses the presence of gender-based violence among peers and hierarchies within the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (PASS) at the Institut Nacional d’Educació Física de Catalunya (INEFC), at the University of Barcelona (UB). This research is grounded in the UniSAFE project's 7P model, which addresses gender-based violence through a comprehensive framework encompassing prevention, protection, prosecution, provision of services, partnerships, policies, and prevalence measurement. This model is particularly valuable for assessing institutional responses and designing effective interventions within university settings. Using the validated UNISAFE questionnaire (Schredl et al., 2023), the study identified various types of violence (e.g., physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence, economic violence), their frequency, and the perpetrators (students and/or faculty members). The questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students, administrative and service staff, and academic staff through the KoboToolbox platform. The study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Barcelona. By collecting quantitative data, the analysis will typify the existing violence within the academic context and provide a comprehensive diagnostic of the situation. The findings will be crucial in developing effective interventions and educational strategies to promote gender equality and prevent gender-based violence within the institution. Furthermore, the results of this diagnostic will inform future educational programs aimed at preparing professionals in physical activity and sports to act as agents of change against gender-based violence.
Beyond the Waves: Understanding Female Surfers' Experiences, Gender Dynamics, and Perceptions in Surfing - an Ecological Approach
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Joana Sans Osanz, Ingrid Hinojosa Alcalde
Surfing is a rapidly growing sport, with increasing female participation worldwide. This study explores the experiences and gender perceptions of female surfers in Alto Minho, Portugal, through a qualitative approach. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's ecological model, the research examines the influence of multiple levels—individual, interpersonal, organizational, and sociocultural—on the experiences of female surfers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and graphical representations. Participants were selected based on their involvement in surfing, encompassing various levels of experience and roles in the sport-eight coaches and leaders (five male, three female) and twenty-one athletes (thirteen male, eight female). A distinctive feature of this study was the use of graphical representation, where participants illustrated their perceptions of female surfers. At the individual level, personal enjoyment, family influence, and peer support emerged as key motivators for female participation. Interpersonal interactions, particularly with coaches and peers, shaped their surfing experiences and perceptions. At the organizational level, training structures and club practices played a crucial role in either promoting or hindering gender inclusivity. At the sociocultural level, prevailing gender norms and stereotypes strongly impacted both external perceptions of female surfers and their self-perception within the sport. This research provides a comprehensive assessment of gender dynamics in surfing, contributing valuable insights for developing strategies to foster gender equality and inclusivity in Portuguese surf training environments. Furthermore, practical recommendations for clubs and coaches could contribute to creating more supportive environments for female surfers.
Intersectional Approaches to Gender Equity in Community Sport Contexts: The Missing Piece
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nadia Bevan, Ruth Jeanes
In recent decades there have been a prolific array of policies and initiatives aiming to increase the number of girls and women involved across community sport. However, these have rarely been responsive to addressing intersectional forms of discrimination experienced by women, girls and people who are gender diverse. There is also a lack of understanding of how, at the community level, clubs respond to intersectional discrimination within their efforts to promote and support gender equity. Drawing on Hill-Collins (1990; 2017) layers of power and discourse analysis, this paper examines the gender equity work undertaken by Victorian community sport clubs to consider how clubs seek to address inequities experienced by women, girls and people who are gender diverse that experience multiple forms of oppression. Through policy and document analysis, observations and interviews with 13 local government sport, recreation and gender equality employee’s and 46 sports club leaders and members, this study examined understandings, policies, practices and processes of intersectional responses to gender equity. The findings show that most sporting clubs and local government representatives did not understand intersectionality, nor considered or enacted intersectional responses to gender equity. Local sporting contexts are (re-)producing power and dominant norms when engaging in gender equity, privileging white, able-bodied, cis-gendered girls and women.
