New project aims to make UK a global leader in women and girls' sport

Major sports bodies have launched a new initiative called the Equal Sport Project to improve gender equality and make the UK a global leader in women and girls' sport. Backing the project are organisations including the English Football Association, Team GB, and England Netball.

Research And Key Areas

Recent research by Sporting Insights shows that fewer than 1% of women working in sport believe gender equality has been achieved in the industry. Furthermore, more than half of those surveyed believe they receive lower pay than men for doing the same job. To tackle these issues, the Equal Sport Project focuses on two main areas: providing equal access to sport for schoolgirls, and driving equal relevance, reach, and revenue for women's sport.

Pledges And Support

Several groups have already made firm commitments. Aquatics GB and the FA will prioritise female leadership programmes. Sport England and UK Sport plan to work with funding partners to ensure governance is built by both men and women. The Youth Sport Trust has pledged to help schools challenge stereotypes and build male allies for gender equality in physical education and school sport.

Government Backing

The UK government is also supporting the project. Sports minister Stephanie Peacock stated that while progress has happened, much work remains. She highlighted government efforts like hosting the 2027 Tour de France Femmes Grand Depart, bidding for the 2035 Fifa Women's World Cup, investing £400 million in grassroots sports facilities, and doubling priority access to football pitches for women and girls.

Context

Major sports initiatives often bring together governing bodies and government support to address systemic workplace and participation gaps. Grassroots funding and leadership programmes are typical tools used to shift long-standing structural imbalances in the sports sector.