Policy Brief Series

 Gender Equality and Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport Policy Brief Series

The Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport publishes policy briefs on various topics related to gender and inequalities in the context of physical education, physical activity, and sport (PEPAS). The Policy Brief Series aims to provide concise research analysis and research-based recommendations to policy actors across government and sport governance bodies. Each Policy Brief is reviewed by at least two expert reviewers who are external to the Global Observatory and edited by the Global Observatory.

About the GO’s Policy Brief Series

Within the broader mission of the Global Observatory, this policy brief series will present and advance dialogue on inequalities affecting girls, women, gender and PEPAS.  It is well acknowledged that concise and relatable data and research backed evidence is a great enabler for policy influence and informed engagement. As noted in the MINEPS VII outcome documents, the need for high-quality data and research is urgent to ensure countries and governments have accessible and relevant evidence to accelerate policy action tasked with addressing inequalities in PEPAS. However, not all countries have consistent, timely, and accessible engagement with research and evidence related to PEPAS to inform their policy visions and work. Furthermore, existing research and evidence is often limited in its ability to reach policy makers, governments and intergovernmental agencies n relevant formats that can present actionable policy recommendations to government audiences. Therefore, despite the research being produced, it often faces  limited  potential to reach and inform local and global agendas that have the potential to coordinate action to address inequalities in PEPAS. 

The GO’s policy brief series aim to address this gap by facilitating connection between researchers and policy makers to enable availability of information and advice on topics that are pertinent at present and to draw attention to issues that require further action. 

The GO’s Policy Brief Series aim to: 

1. 1. Raise awareness of key policy issues, highlighting emerging trends and current evidence, challenges and opportunities on a specific issue and context among policy makers in UN, government, intergovernmental and organizational settings. 
   2.  Provide evidence-based insights and concrete step-by-step recommendations that are in relevant formats to policy makers and that can guide UN Bodies, Intergovernmental bodies, Sport Federations, government finance and planning departments, government PEPAS, local government and health portfolios, academic, advocacy, and other research actors to address specific issues in PEPAS. 
   3. Providing governments and organizations with evidence-based justifications for legislative or institutional changes to address gender equality in PEPAS. 
   4. Influence funding and investment by guiding resource allocation toward evidence-based gender equality practices. 
   5. Facilitate cross sector collaborations, including increased engagement between researchers and policy makers to further policy action. 
   6. Align to international frameworks, commitments, declarations and conventions such as UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action among others. 

Policy Brief Series 2024-2026: Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women and Girls and PEPAS

The 2024-2026 Policy Brief Series focuses on the topics within the thematic of Gender Based Violence, in particular, Violence against Women and Girls in Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport contexts.  

The policy brief series adopts an intersectional and inclusive approach to gender equality to address the multiple forms of discrimination – based on gender along with other intersections such as (but not limited to) ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, faith – that women in PEPAS may face. The Global Observatory defines inclusive gender equality as working toward gender equality from a perspective that makes visible and includes people who have been marginalized and excluded from sport for varying and intersectional discriminations. 

Please see the Global Research Agenda for broad themes and topics of focus.

Read the Policy Briefs in the Series

Policy Brief 1(1):

Online Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport

Abstract: Online gender-based violence (GBV) can include sexually explicit language, unpleasant remarks or social criticism connected to gender, gendered-microaggressions, sexual allusions, exaggerated rape and murder threats, and stalking. Violent interactions may be text or image-based and can target individuals directly and/or those closest to them.

Online GBV in sport curtails the rights of women and girls, impacts on their liberty, and poses a significant threat to their health, safety and wellbeing. The aim of this policy briefing is to share research perspectives on online gender-based violence against women and girls in sport and to make recommendations for global sporting organizations, online platforms, and governments who have a moral obligation to foster safer online communities.

Authors: Emma J. Kavanagh¹, Chelsea Litchfield², Jaquelyn Osborne², Keith D. Parry¹
¹Department of Sport and Event Management, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
²School of Allied Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia

Citation: Kavanagh, E.J., Litchfield, C., Osborne, J., and Parry, K.D. (2024). Online Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls In Sport. Gender and PEPAS Policy Brief Series. 1(1) Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport: Lausanne

Publication date: 15.07.2024

Publisher: Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport
ISBN/ISSN:  ISSN 3042-4852