Women and girl’s sport is at the centre of Australia’s sporting story, with a visible boost in participation and success in recent years.
With this rise comes challenges and threats to the wellbeing and safety of women and girls, particularly in the online space.
A national effort to empower and build safer environments
Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) is committed to creating safer and more respectful sporting environments for women and girls in sport.
Through the Empowering Women and Girls in Sport Integrity Program, SIA’s aim is to help shift the responsibility from women to the systems and environments in which they participate and lead.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme to ‘Balance the Scales’ means building sport environments where women are free from integrity threats and can both contribute to and leverage the benefits of sport in full.
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The rise of online abuse in women’s sport
Online abuse, harassment and sexist commentary continue to affect women in sport at disproportionate levels.
Research shows female athletes receive three times as many negative comments online as men, and over a quarter of all comments regarding sportswomen are negative, sexist, sexualised, or belittle women's sports (Source: Plan International).
Further research conducted by Deakin University in partnership with the ABC, collated data from 152 athletes across 47 sports and reported that 87% of sportswomen experienced some form of online harm in the past year; 90% elite sportswomen also report being subjected to or witnessing gendered online harm.
Women remain underrepresented in leadership roles in sport, such as Board members and Chairs, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and coaching, officiating and governance, both here in Australia and internationally.
SIA’s CEO, Dr Sarah Benson, notes that SIA is working to create an environment where women and girls feel safe both online and in the physical world.
“Online abuse of women in sport is a serious and harmful integrity issue,” Dr Benson said.
We cannot have integrity in sport without safety for women and girls.
– Dr Sarah Benson PSM, CEO, Sport Integrity Australia
“Addressing these threats is critical to the success and growth of women’s sport and it is a key reason why Sport Integrity Australia is working to create safer and more respectful sporting environments.”
SIA’s Deputy CEO – Safety in Sport and Executive Champion for Women, Dr Paul Oliver, reflected on SIA’s role in the sector.
“We are working with National Sporting Organisations, National Sporting Organisations for People with Disability and our many partners to embed strong reporting pathways, clear policies, safeguarding frameworks, education campaigns and evidence‑based interventions.”
Lauren Jackson’s challenge to you
Sporting legend Lauren Jackson knows the barriers women and girls still face in sport, from the grassroots through to elite sport.
“Every girl deserves the chance to play, lead, and win,” Lauren said.
We need to back women and girls’ potential, both on and off the field. When we empower women in sport, we empower entire communities.
– Lauren Jackson, Australian basketball legend
“This International Women’s Day, what can you do to empower women and girls in sport?”
Balance the scales
Balancing the Scales isn’t just a metaphor, it’s our daily work and business as usual.
SIA is committed to creating environments where women and girls are safe, respected, and free to thrive.
When we raise the standards of integrity across sport, we don’t just level the playing field, we want to empower all involved in sport to rewrite what’s possible.