On Marginalisation and Attitudes towards Women’s Sports Activities in the University of Ibadan Community
Grace Dolor
It is no news that in the world of sports and other activities that the society deems ‘manly’, women are often been sidelined, demeaned, and sometimes even deprived of their right to participate. Sports in the real world and the media often fail to treat sportswomen equally as sportsmen, failing to realise that women deserve their place in sports as well. Despite significant strides towards gender equality in recent years, disparities persist, particularly in the university sports community.
It is important to note that comparing men and women in sports based only on physical capabilities is inherently flawed, as biological differences exist. However, shedding light on the experiences and realities of women in sports is crucial for fostering understanding and promoting inclusivity in the world of sports.
In the university community, while the male tournaments often get the most publicity and consequently a larger audience, there is little to no recognition of sportswomen and their tournaments. This discrepancy is evident even in the allocation of resources, such as playing time and field quality. For instance, in the university’s most popular sport, football, male teams are allotted 60 minutes of playtime on better pitches, while female teams are limited to 30 minutes on less favourable grounds.
In professional sports, gender differences have no influence over playing time and facilities. There is therefore the need for universities to adopt more equitable practices. Professional sportswomen undergo the same rigorous training regimens as their male counterparts and deserve equal opportunities to showcase their skills and compete fairly.
The issue of unequal treatment extends beyond mere resource allocation to encompass recognition and reward for achievements. In a recent example from the Department of European Studies, the male team received commendation and rewards for their participation in the Dean’s Tournament, while the female team, the winners and defending champions of the same tournament, were overlooked. This discrepancy underscores the systemic biases that undervalue the accomplishments of female athletes and perpetuate a cycle of marginalization.
Banwo Oluwapelumi, a sportswoman and first-year student of the Department of Human Kinetics, speaking with AFAS Press correspondent, noted that there are some issues that should be improved in female sports in the university. For instance, she once observed that female football matches have 5 players on a small pitch instead of the usual 11.
“I was watching a football match between Kinetics and Educational Management and the pitch was too small that they had to play 5 by 5 instead of 11 by 11 which is the standard. I asked why they couldn’t play in the bigger field, and someone told me that female players can’t maintain the stress and distance of the bigger field, so it’s better for them to play in the smaller field.”
She further highlighted a lack of commitment among female athletes, as the reason for women’s low participation in sports, and a culture of “baby treatment” that undermines their professionalism and dedication on the field.
“Most ladies still have the mindset that only men can get involved in sports. From what I have observed, most women athletes are not committed to training hard and coming for training. There is also this special treatment they believe they deserve and will definitely not get on the training ground.” she said.
To address these challenges and foster a more inclusive sporting environment, universities should prioritise efforts to support and empower sportswomen. This could be by providing equal resources, opportunities, and recognition for women’s sports programs.
Additionally, challenging societal norms and stereotypes that perpetuate gender-based discrimination is essential for effecting lasting change.