[PIO] Communication from the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner on promoting respect, dignity, equal opportunities, equal participation and

The Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner is disappointed that, once again, the culture of sport reminds us that it is not welcoming to female athletes.

A recent example concerns what has come to light in relation to the changing room facilities and in particular the transparent glass door in the sports facilities of the Germasogeia stadium, resulting in the absence of respect for the privacy of both female and male footballers.

With regard to the changing rooms, we stress that a gender-friendly environment requires respect for the privacy and dignity of all male and female athletes. What has come to light is a disgrace to sport as it shows that there is no suitable environment for the promotion of women's sport.

To this end, the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner calls upon the relevant bodies including the Cyprus Sports Organisation (CSO) and the relevant federations:

1. To promote the principle of equality, as also provided for in the Cyprus Sport Law, its relevant amendments, as well as the Athlete Welfare and Protection Manual and the COA Guide for the implementation of protection and welfare measures for all participants in sport.
2. To create a friendly environment for athletes through the provision of infrastructure and facilities including changing rooms and sanitary facilities, which will have the effect of encouraging their further participation in sport.

At the same time, the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner undertook an exercise concerning the non-exposure of women's sport in the printed press resulting in the invisibility of women's sport, the absence of women's role models and the non-promotion of women's sport.

Regarding the invisibility of women's sport in the printed press, the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner, wishing to have a clear and informed opinion, proceeded to record the news concerning women's sport in the printed press for a period of one month, in the newspapers "True", "Politis", "Phileleftheros", "Haravgi" and "Cyprus Mail". The following data emerged from the recording:

Over a period of one month:

1. 42 photos and 39 articles, related to women
2. 1,690 photos and 370 articles, related to men
3. 1,690 photos and 370 articles, related to men.

On a weekly basis:

1. 0-3 photos and articles, related to women.
2. 2-28 photos and articles were about men.

On a daily basis, most of the time there was zero visibility of women's sport in terms of both photos and articles.

We recognize that the media plays a key role in shaping a culture of gender equality, as well as their efforts to promote equality between women and men. To this end, in the spirit of working together to achieve this goal, the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner calls on the media to promote women's sport equally and more fairly, thereby also creating role models for young girls.

The Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner is at the disposal of all of the above to strengthen cooperation in order to consolidate a culture of equality in sport.

(KC/EP)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source

[/P]