Abuja – The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Al-Hassan, on Friday said cultural factor and low participation of women in sports were denying them leadership positions in sports administration.
Al-Hassan, who was represented by a Director in the ministry, Ofem Mbang, said this at the inauguration of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Women in Sports Commission in Abuja.
She said the belief that women could not lead men was singled out as the main cultural factor denying women leadership position in sports.
“Low women participation in sports and lack of role models are also major social factors which lead to women under-representation in sports leadership,’’ the minister added.
Al-Hassan said inadequacy of finance to send women for further training in sports was also a key economic factor which contributed to the under-representation of women in sports leadership.
“More men perceive social factors as the key to the under-representation of women in sports leadership.
“Women’s failure to use their own networks to help their fellow friends and association stands out as a political factor that leads to the under-representation of women in sports.
“Age is a significant factor in the sports personnel’s perception of the extent to which cultural factors undermine a woman’s participation in sports.
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“Whereas the older ones blame the under-representation on cultural factors, the younger ones perceive it otherwise.’’
She urged the National Sports Commission and the NOC to come up with affirmative action to guarantee women access to sports activities, selection to international competitions and provision of leadership.
“The commission should come up with a curriculum that dispenses with the culture stereotypes that militate against women leadership opportunities in sports.
“Institutions of learning, including universities and other tertiary institutions, should embrace the teaching of Physical Education and Sports to all young people, irrespective of gender.
“This includes socialising the girl-child into sports from an early age.’’
Al-Hassan said the media should be used as a valuable tool of educating the public on the importance of sports to all, irrespective of gender.
She also called for more coverage and exposure of female athletes to attract more women to sports.
Speaking also, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stressed the need to aggressively mobilise women into sporting activities.
Adewole, who was represented by Dr Bose Adeniran, a Director in the ministry, said this had ensured the maintenance of a daunting stance in most countries, especially developing nations.
“Now that the global attention has moved these issues to the front-burner on the global agenda, we need to utilise this drive to maximise the energies of African women in sports.
“It is true that girls and women are less likely than boys and men to participate in sports, and sports continues to be dominated by males.
“It is a mistake to assume that girls and women do not wish to participate. However, poverty, heavy domestic demands and skills development frequently prevent women’s participation in physical activities and sports.’’
Adewole said gender mainstreaming into policies remain at the core of the “change agenda’’ of the Buhari administration.
“Today’s event is another demonstration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to pursue this,’’ he said.(NAN)
