Positive Measures in Gender Equality in Sport: The Case of Lisbon
Isabel Cruz and Vanda Oliveira, Portugal
The
increasing
number of girls participating in sporting activities in Portugal is a
recognized
fact. However, when they became adults, the time dedicated to sport
activities
declines, specifically when they belong to lower social
classes.
In Portugal, the comparison between female and
male participation in sport demonstrates an enormous gap, one of the lower
rates in European Union: just 16% of women in participate in competitive
and federate level athletics.
The National Global Plan to Equality, promoted by the Government, was launched two years ago, and the goal related to the sport policies, still attends for evaluation, because no measures have been taken in this area.
The Lisbon Municipality has developed the resistance to this national indifference. Several programs and initiatives are being promoted in many sport areas and levels, by the local administration and with the cooperation of two NGOs.
The question is how those programs and measures can embrace not only women in globally, but also the working class women.
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