Introduction

Sport holds enormous potential to drive gender equality by improving the well-being of girls and women and boosting their confidence and leadership skills (UNESCO and UN WOMEN, 2023).

However, in Europe, nearly half of women (49%) report never engaging in physical activity, compared to 40% of men (European Commission, 2022). Practical, social, and personal barriers fuel this discrepancy.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Extreme Violence towards Women, Sport and Citizenship & UFEC, as part of the GAP Women project, organised the “Keeping Girls in Sport” webinar to highlight how sport can serve as a tool for social change, especially in advancing gender equality. Sport GVP consortium representative Eleni Trichina was among the speakers and had the opportunity to present insights from the project on structural violence as a barrier to women’s participation in sports.

The Barriers Women Face in Sports.

Despite progress in recent years, women continue to face significant challenges in accessing and participating in sports.

• Practical Challenges: Many women lack financial access to sports or feel unsafe in spaces designed for physical activity.
• Social Norms: Gender stereotypes and male-dominated sports environments deter participation and discourage women from trying new activities traditionally associated with men.
• Personal Barriers: Issues such as low self-confidence, body image concerns, and family influences further reduce women’s participation.

These facts show that gender equality needs to be boosted. Addressing these barriers is about increasing participation and fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered, respected, and supported.

During the event, the need for policy advocacy was highlighted, and the participants came up with some recommendations that will have a short-term but systematic impact on our surroundings and a positive impact on sports overall.

Practical Recommendations for the Organisations

Organisations must take proactive steps to address the systemic barriers that limit their participation to create a more equitable and inclusive sports landscape for women. By implementing targeted strategies and fostering a culture of respect and equality, we can empower women to reach their full potential in sports.

• Educate and Advocate: Develop a comprehensive understanding of gender inequality and gender-based violence in sports. Resources, such as those available on Sport GVP’s website, can provide valuable insights into the depth of the issue.
• Provide Funding for Equality: Larger organisations should leverage their financial resources and influence to fund initiatives that promote equal opportunities for all genders. This includes supporting smaller organisations in implementing inclusive programmes.
• Revisit Policies: Raise awareness of existing anti-discrimination policies in sports and collaborate with like-minded organisations to revise and improve these frameworks, ensuring inclusivity at every level.
• Ensure Safe Spaces: Advocate for public sports facilities that prioritize safety and accessibility. This includes ensuring that sports areas are well-lit, easily reachable, and designed to create a welcoming environment for everyone.

Conclusion

Sport is more than a game—it is a powerful platform for social transformation. To unlock its full potential, stakeholders across all levels must commit to creating an equitable and inclusive environment. By addressing barriers, revising outdated practices, and fostering safe, accessible spaces, we can ensure that girls and women not only participate in sports but thrive within them. The path forward requires collective action, but the reward is a society where sports truly belong to everyone—equally.

Resources:
European Commission. Eurobarometer. (2022). Sport and physical activity. europa.eu. https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2668
Tackling violence against women and girls in sport. A handbook for policy makers and sports practitioners. (n.d.). UNESCO eBooks. https://doi.org/10.54678/oiyq8917

Introduction

Gender-based violence (GBV) in sports has emerged as a critical issue across Europe, revealing profound gaps in knowledge, leadership, and policy. The Sport GVP project brings these realities to light, shedding new clarity on the persistent and varied challenges confronting different countries in their quest to cultivate safer and more inclusive environments for athletes. In Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Italy and North Macedonia, the struggles with addressing GBV in sports underscore the need for profound systemic change. To tackle this pervasive issue, nations must not only strengthen existing frameworks but also adopt tailored, culturally sensitive solutions that place the safety and dignity of athletes at the forefront.

In recent years, the issue of GBV in sports has gained increasing attention across Europe. The Sport GVP project has identified critical gaps in knowledge, leadership, and policy in various countries, highlighting the unique challenges they face in addressing GBV. This article outlines the distinct barriers encountered in Denmark, Greece, North Macedonia, Cyprus, and Italy and potential solutions to foster safer sports environments that were presented in the national and transnational reports.

Cyprus

In Cyprus, the normalisation of harmful behaviours and the inconsistent enforcement of GBV policies create significant challenges.

Challenges

• Normalisation of Harmful Behaviours

In many sports environments, certain forms of violence or harassment are normalised. This cultural acceptance discourages athletes from recognising these behaviours as problematic or reporting them, for fear of social exclusion.

• Inconsistent Enforcement of Policies

While policies exist to address GBV, their enforcement could be more consistent. Many coaches and administrators lack the training or resources to effectively implement these policies, resulting in a system that fails to protect athletes.

• Lack of Intersectional Approach

An additional challenge in Cyprus is the absence of an intersectional approach to GBV prevention. Vulnerable groups, such as minority athletes or those with disabilities, are often left out of discussions on GBV, making it more difficult for them to access support.

Solutions

• Comprehensive Training Programmes: Implement intersectional training programmes that address the needs of different athlete groups, ensuring the protection of all athletes.
• Strengthened Reporting Mechanisms: Improve the accessibility and effectiveness of reporting systems, ensuring consistent follow-up and support for victims.
• Intersectional Policies: Develop inclusive GBV prevention policies that account for gender, ethnicity, and ability, ensuring no group is left unprotected.

Denmark

Denmark faces significant challenges in recognising and addressing GBV within its sports community.

Challenges

• Lack of Knowledge and Awareness

Sports organisations and clubs in Denmark often prioritise logistical aspects, such as filling team spots and maintaining facilities, over the well-being of participants. This focus has contributed to a need for more awareness around GBV, particularly concerning vulnerable groups like young women. As a result, many clubs need to recognise the risks athletes face, leaving GBV incidents underreported and unaddressed.

• Lack of Preventive Policies

The preventive policies currently in place in Denmark’s sports sector are either underdeveloped or inconsistently enforced. Many organisations lack clear guidelines, and there is no requirement for mandatory GBV prevention training for coaches. Consequently, coaches are often unprepared to identify or respond to potential abuse, allowing harmful behaviours to persist.

• Leadership and Media Confusion

Leadership within Danish sports clubs is hesitant to take the initiative in addressing GBV. This lack of direction is exacerbated by inconsistent media coverage, which often downplays the prevalence and severity of GBV in sports. This confusion leads to a lack of transparency and accountability, leaving both athletes and coaches needing clarification about how to prevent or report GBV.

Solutions

• Educational Programmes: Launch nationwide awareness campaigns and provide mandatory training for coaching staff to prioritise the safety and well-being of athletes.
• Policy Development: Implement comprehensive GBV prevention policies across all sports organisations, with regular evaluations to ensure compliance.
• Media Collaboration: Work closely with the media to ensure consistent and accurate reporting on GBV in sports, raising public awareness and promoting transparency.

Greece

Greece faces its own set of challenges in combating GBV, where ineffective policy implementation and cultural barriers play a significant role.

Challenges

• Ineffectiveness of Preventive Measures

Despite the presence of preventive measures, their enforcement is inconsistent, and sports organisations often lack structured policies. The gap between policy creation and actual application means that many incidents of GBV go unaddressed, leaving athletes vulnerable.

• Discretion of Coaches

In Greece, coaches often have the discretion to enforce or ignore GBV-related policies. This variability leads to inconsistent protection for athletes, as personal biases or lack of training are sometimes overlooked or improperly handled.

• Cultural Barriers

Cultural attitudes surrounding gender roles and GBV present a significant obstacle in Greece. The stigma associated with reporting GBV is strong, and many victims fear retaliation or social ostracism. Furthermore, awareness of GBV prevention programmes is limited, and many athletes do not know where or how to seek help.

Solutions

• Standardised Policies: Develop and enforce national-level policies for all sports organisations, with penalties for non-compliance.
• Mandatory Training for Coaches: Introduce mandatory GBV prevention training for coaches, ensuring they understand and enforce relevant policies.
• Cultural Sensitivity Initiatives: Create programmes that address cultural barriers to reporting GBV, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for athletes.

Italy

Italy also struggles with a lack of awareness and inconsistent policy implementation in its efforts to combat GBV in sports.

Challenges

• Lack of Awareness and Training

There is a general lack of awareness in Italy regarding the severity of GBV in sports. Without consistent training programmes for coaches, athletes, and sports organisations, many are unaware of how to identify or prevent GBV incidents.

• Inconsistent Policy Implementation

Though policies exist to address GBV, their enforcement is inconsistent. Many sports organisations face resource limitations, which prevent them from implementing effective GBV prevention strategies.

Solutions

• Nationwide Awareness Campaigns: Educate the public and sports organisations through awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of GBV in sports.
• Consistent Policy Enforcement: Strengthen the enforcement of existing policies through regular audits and penalties for non-compliance.
• Increased Resource Allocation: Ensure that sports organisations have the resources necessary to implement comprehensive GBV prevention programmes.

North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, barriers to reporting and cultural challenges limit the effectiveness of GBV prevention efforts in sports.

Challenges

• Lack of Trust in Reporting Mechanisms

Athletes in North Macedonia often distrust existing mechanisms for reporting GBV, fearing retaliation or discrimination. This lack of trust prevents many incidents from being reported, and athletes who do speak out may face negative consequences such as reduced playing time or social isolation.

• Gaps in Inclusivity and Cultural Barriers

Cultural barriers in North Macedonia hinder the participation of women and minorities in sports. These barriers also affect their ability to report GBV, as many do not have access to the necessary resources, such as legal support or counselling services.

• Lack of Awareness

A widespread lack of awareness about GBV and the resources available for victims exacerbates the problem. Many athletes are unaware of their rights or the proper channels for reporting abuse, leaving incidents unresolved.

Solutions

• Confidential Reporting Platforms: Establish secure, anonymous reporting systems to protect athletes from retaliation and encourage more individuals to come forward.
• Awareness Campaigns: Educate athletes and coaches about the importance of reporting GBV through targeted public campaigns.
• Inclusivity Initiatives: Create initiatives that address cultural barriers and promote inclusivity in sports, ensuring equal opportunities and support for all athletes.

Conclusion

In examining the prevalence of GBV in sports across Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Italy, and North Macedonia, a clear and troubling pattern emerges. Despite each nation’s unique cultural and structural challenges, all are united by a pervasive lack of awareness, insufficient policy enforcement, and deeply ingrained social stigmas that hinder real progress in combating GBV. Whether it’s Cyprus’ normalisation of harmful behaviours, Denmark’s inattentiveness to athlete safety, Greece’s failure to implement existing policies, Italy’s underdeveloped awareness campaigns, or North Macedonia’s fear of retaliation, the message is clear: systemic change is urgently needed.

To create safer environments for athletes, sports organisations across Europe must adopt comprehensive, multi-dimensional strategies. These should include education initiatives that raise awareness of GBV, the development of robust, consistently enforced policies, and confidential reporting mechanisms that protect athletes from retaliation. Moreover, the cultural barriers that perpetuate silence and fear must be dismantled, fostering an environment where athletes feel empowered to come forward and seek justice. Only through concerted efforts that address both policy and culture we can begin to eradicate GBV from the world of sports, ensuring that athletes, regardless of gender, can participate safely and with dignity.

The world of sport is a powerful platform for storytelling, offering individuals and communities a stage to express identity, challenge norms, and inspire transformation. Across Europe, sport is not just about physical competition; it is a tool for amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering inclusive communities. Supported by the European Commission, various initiatives aim to elevate these stories, using sport as a vehicle for social change.

Sport has long been recognised for its capacity to bring people together, transcend boundaries, and foster unity. The European Week of Sports (EWoS), an annual initiative supported by the European Commission, champions this mission. Through its slogan #BeActive, EWoS has engaged over 71 million participants across 42 countries, showcasing the capacity of sport to break barriers and connect individuals across generations and social backgrounds (European Week of Sports return with joy, resilience, intergenerational themes. (n.d.). Sport).

Real-life stories from EWoS exemplify how sport can empower voices from marginalised communities, enabling them to express resilience and joy despite adversity. The event’s focus on intergenerational themes further emphasises sport’s role in bridging generational divides, fostering a sense of belonging across all ages​. 

The #HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, which runs parallel to EWoS, further amplifies the voices of change by promoting physical activity across different socio-economic groups. This EU-driven programme tackles rising concerns about obesity and physical inactivity in Europe, especially among underserved communities. Through this initiative, sports are being promoted as a fundamental right for all, transcending limitations of age, gender, or physical ability​. 

This initiative highlights inspirational stories from diverse participants who use sport to overcome personal challenges, advocate for social justice, and promote mental and physical well-being.

Additionally, initiatives like the “Voices for Change” programme use sport as a way to encourage dialogue on gender based violence (GBV), providing platforms where refugees can safely share their stories. This empowers not only individuals but also communities to challenge the status quo, making sport a vital arena for combating violence and promoting gender equality ​(Culture and Creativity).

Building on these initiatives, the Preventing Gender Based Violence in and through Sport (Sport GVP) project further amplifies this mission by developing concrete tools and resources to combat GBV in sports settings. By fostering cooperation across borders, Sport GVP promotes awareness and proactive prevention strategies to ensure that sports environments across Europe are free from violence and discrimination. For more information on these efforts, visit sportgvp.eu.

References 

• European Commission. (n.d.). European Week of Sport. https://sport.ec.europa.eu/european-week-of-sport
• Healthy Lifestyle for All: Promoting Inclusivity Through Sport. European Commission. Link.
• Voices of Culture. (2023). Culture and creative sectors and industries driving green transition and facing the energy crisis. https://voicesofculture.eu/2023/09/29/new-report-published-culture-and-creative-sectors-and-industries-driving-green-transition-and-facing-the-energy-crisis/ 

Tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in sport requires thoughtful strategies that address its root causes and promote a culture of respect and equality. These strategies go hand in hand with the development of policies entailing educational programs, which raise awareness on GBV and bring it in the spotlight for all actors within the sports sector. One effective approach is through educational programs that raise awareness about GBV and teach athletes, coaches, and sports administrators about consent, boundaries, and respectful behaviour. 

Developing policies and educational programs 

In Europe, initiatives like the “Start to Talk” campaign by the Council of Europe are making a significant difference by encouraging sports organisations to speak out against abuse and implement preventive measures, providing crucial training and resources to create safer sports environments. These programs empower individuals to recognise and act against instances of violence, while also teaching athletes, coaches, and sports administrators about consent and boundaries. 

Nonetheless, sports organisations need to establish clear policies that define unacceptable behaviours, outline reporting mechanisms, and ensure accountability. In Greece, the Hellenic Olympic Committee has been a leader in this area, promoting policies that protect athletes from abuse and harassment. They align with international standards to ensure a safe sporting environment for everyone involved. The European Union supports these efforts through initiatives like the Erasmus+ programme, which funds projects aimed at promoting gender equality and safety in sports settings. Effective policies are inclusive, covering all forms of violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It’s essential that robust reporting and response systems are in place to protect the confidentiality and safety of those who come forward.

Community Engagement and Collaboration

Community engagement and collaboration are crucial to sustaining efforts against GBV in sports. Partnerships between sports organisations, educational institutions, and advocacy groups help amplify resources and expertise. In Greece, organisations like Diotima, the Center for Research on Women’s Issues, collaborate with sports bodies to provide training and support for the prevention of GBV. Involving athletes in these conversations as role models and advocates can foster a culture of accountability and change. By combining education, policy, and community efforts, the sports world can make significant strides in eradicating GBV and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all athletes.

Conclusion

GBV in sports is a multifaceted problem that demands continuous and thorough initiatives for resolution. Acknowledging the different appearances of GBV is the initial step in fostering a sports environment that is safer and more welcoming to all. During Sport GVP project, we aspire to initiate the appreciation of a non-violence culture and bias that detracts from the essence of sportsmanship, through the implementation of policies, helping athletes, advocating for gender equality, and enforcing accountability.

References

Council of Europe (2018) Start to Talk campaign.
Hellenic Olympic Committee (2021). Safeguarding Athletes from Harassment and Abuse.
EuropeanUnion(2021). Erasmus+Sport
Diotima (2020). Preventing Gender-Based Violence in Sports.

Introduction

Gender-based violence (GBV) in sport is a significant problem affecting athletes from various regions, including Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Italy and North Macedonia, SPORT GVP project partner countries.

This article provides insights into recent research findings on GBV in these countries, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue and proposing measures to address it.

Cyprus: Stereotypes and Systemic Issues

In Cyprus, recent research reveals major problems of GBV in the football environment. Gender stereotypes and societal expectations regarding physical conditioning contribute to the discrimination of female athletes, who are often labelled as ‘masculine’ or ‘intimidating’, thus discouraging their participation. Reported types of GBV include physical, psychological, verbal, sexual and financial abuse. Sexual harassment is particularly prevalent, exacerbated by family attitudes that view women’s participation in football as inappropriate. Limited complaints and legal action highlight systemic problems and normalised inequalities within the sport.

Greece: Stereotypes and Insufficient Support

GBV in Greek sport is influenced by entrenched stereotypes and a lack of institutional support. Sports are often perceived as male-dominated activities, creating barriers for women. The Greek sporting environment lacks comprehensive policies to address GBV and existing measures are poorly implemented. The absence of effective policies perpetuates an environment where GBV persists, particularly affecting women and LGBTQIA+ people

Denmark: Need for Comprehensive Measures

Denmark’s approach to violence against persons in sport is underdeveloped. The European Commission report points out that, apart from general legislation, there is a lack of specific measures to combat violence against minors. Harassment and sexual abuse are widespread, especially in elite sports and football. Female athletes often feel that their experiences are undervalued compared to their male counterparts. The Danish LGBTQIA+ community is subject to considerable discrimination and transgender and non-binary people face greater challenges. The lack of inclusive policies and prevailing homophobic and transphobic attitudes contribute to a hostile environment for LGBTQIA+ athletes.

North Macedonia: Cultural and Structural Barriers

In North Macedonia, GBV in sport is exacerbated by lack of awareness and systemic inequalities. There is a marked imbalance of resources and opportunities between male and female athletes, with women receiving fewer scholarships and less access to facilities. Mechanisms for reporting discrimination are underdeveloped, with the result that cases of sexual violence are inadequately addressed. There is a crucial need for educational seminars and stronger policies to improve awareness and support for victims.

Italy: Gender and Sexual Orientation Discrimination

The Italian sports sector reveals widespread GBV, which particularly affects women and LGBTQIA+ persons. Female athletes are often victims of sexual harassment, psychological abuse and gender discrimination. The disparity in media coverage and sponsorship between male and female athletes exacerbates these problems. LGBTQIA+ athletes experience homophobic and transphobic violence, including bullying and exclusion. The sports culture, influenced by traditional gender norms and insufficient policies, fails to provide adequate protection and support for these groups.

Recommendations for Addressing GBV in Sport

Research findings in these countries underline the pervasive nature of GBV in sport and the need for comprehensive strategies to address it. The following recommendations are proposed:

• Awareness-raising and education: Comprehensive education and training on GBV for athletes, coaches and staff to recognise and respond to incidents appropriately. Mandatory training, workshops and regular seminars can reinforce these concepts.
• Clear policies and enforcement: Establish and consistently enforce clear policies and protocols for reporting and addressing sexual violence, ensuring transparency and accountability. This includes maintaining confidentiality, serious handling of reports and appointing qualified staff to handle reports in a professional and sensitive manner.

• Accessible resources: Information on GBV, including helplines, support services and reporting mechanisms, should be easily accessible and available in multiple languages and formats.

• Support systems: Robust support mechanisms, including counselling, legal aid and confidential and safe complaint routes, are essential to support victims and encourage them to come forward.

• Culture of openness: Promoting a culture that encourages openness, support and zero tolerance of GBV can help create a safer environment. Peer support and mentoring programmes have been identified as valuable tools in this effort.

• Intersectionality: An intersectional approach is needed to address the aggravated discrimination that athletes experience due to various identity factors, ensuring that policies and support systems are inclusive and equitable.

• Infrastructure improvement: Development and maintenance of safe and private areas within sports facilities where athletes can seek help or report incidents confidentially is equally important. Actions should be taken to ensure that these spaces are accessible to all athletes.

• Role models and media representation: Highlight and support athletes who are positive role models, especially those who stand up against GBV and support gender diversity. Campaigns featuring athletes who are diverse and address the issue of GBV can challenge stereotypes and reach a wider audience.

• Community and stakeholder involvement: Organise workshops to educate parents about GBV, its impact and how they can support their children. As our research has highlighted, families play a crucial role in preventing violence against people.

•  Technology and innovation: Develop secure digital platforms that allow athletes to report sexual violence anonymously if they wish. These platforms should be easy to use and accessible via mobile devices.

Conclusion

Effectively addressing GBV in sport requires a unified strategy that prioritises education, policy enforcement and support systems. Comprehensive education for athletes, coaches and staff, coupled with clear and enforceable policies and accessible support resources, is essential to create safe and inclusive sport environments. Fostering a zero-tolerance culture for violence and discrimination, supported by robust reporting mechanisms and positive role models, is critical to ensuring that all athletes can compete without fear or prejudice.

Gender-based violence (GBV) in sports is a serious issue that appears in various forms. But what is GBV? According to the European Commission: 

“Is the violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately”.

This article aims to identify different forms of GBV in sports, highlighting their impact, and the need for comprehensive strategies to address them.

Forms of Gender-Based Violence in Sports

Recognising the various forms and sub categories of GBV in sports is crucial for creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all athletes. GBV in sports manifests in a wide range of forms, encompassing both physical and emotional abuse. Physical violence includes the intentional use of force to inflict injury, while sexual harassment and assault involve unwanted sexual advances, threats, or coercion. These acts are particularly harmful within the structured environment of sports. Beyond physical contact, emotional and psychological violence utilises words or actions to control, manipulate, or intimidate athletes. This can encompass public humiliation, excessive criticism, or threats of exclusion from the team. Bullying, a repeated pattern of behaviour intended to inflict physical or emotional harm on another athlete, can also be a form of GBV. Additionally, psychological manipulation, economic violence, and financial exploitation can occur, where control over finances, training opportunities, or competition selection is used to create a power imbalance and fear of dependence.

Moreover, gender discrimination is a pervasive form of structural violence within sports. It manifests as unequal access to resources, opportunities, and recognition based solely on gender. Female athletes may have limited access to high-quality training facilities, equipment, coaching, and funding compared to their male counterparts. They may also receive less media coverage and sponsorship opportunities, hindering their visibility and potential for professional success. This systemic bias creates a culture that can be conducive to other forms of GBV.

Impact of Gender-Based Violence in Sports

Individual athletes, teams, and the larger sports community are all impacted by GBV in sports. Physical trauma, mental health problems, and a decline in self-confidence can all affect athletes and cause them to retire from competition too soon. 

How to address Gender-Based Violence in Sports as an organisation?

• Comprehensive Policies and Training: Organisations need to create policies that clearly outline what behaviours are not acceptable, set up ways for these behaviours to be reported, and specify the consequences for those who engage in them. 
• Support Systems for Victims: Providing strong support systems for victims, including access to counselling, medical care, and legal assistance, is crucial. Sports organisations should collaborate with external experts to ensure holistic victim support.
• Promoting Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality in sports involves ensuring equal access to resources, compensation, sponsors, opportunities, and representation for all genders. Efforts should challenge cultural norms and stereotypes that perpetuate gender inequality and GBV.
• Accountability and Transparency: Holding perpetrators accountable requires transparent investigation processes and fair disciplinary actions. A network of whistle-blower protections should also be established to encourage reporting and prevent retaliation.

Conclusion

Gender-based violence in sports is a multifaceted problem that demands continuous and thorough initiatives for resolution. Acknowledging the different appearances of GBV is the initial step in fostering a sports environment that is safer and more welcoming to all. Through the implementation of policies, helping athletes, advocating for gender equality, and enforcing accountability, sports bodies can initiate the appreciation of a non-violence culture and bias that detracts from the essence of sportsmanship.

References

European Commission. (n.d.). What is gender-based violence?. https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/gender-equality/gender-based-violence_en

Sport GVP launches its ambitious bid to prevent and tackle gender-based violence in and through sport!

The Preventing Gender Based Violence in and through Sport project (Sport GVP) held its kick-off meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus between 25-26th of April to start the partners’ coordinated effort to address a critical issue that has persisted in the sports world for a long time.

Sport GVP is a comprehensive programme that seeks to address and prevent gender-based violence in sports and their surrounding environments.

It endeavours to study, analyse, and document the various forms and extent of gender-based violence existing in sports, providing a foundation upon which recommendations for effective intervention can be built. This initiative isn’t just about identifying the problem – it’s about educating and equipping sports professionals and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to actively combat it.

At its heart, Sport GVP is about awareness and action.

Key objectives of the project include inducing the understanding of gender-based violence among sports professionals and stakeholders, empowering them to identify and address incidents successfully. To this end, Sport GVP seeks to bolster the capacity of sports professionals to engage athletes in crucial discussions about gender and violence prevention. Moreover, the project aims to support sports organisations and federations in implementing robust prevention and protection mechanisms. By producing a comprehensive report on “Gender Based Violence and Sport – Realities, Challenges, and Responses”, along with a training package and an interactive eLearning platform, the project endeavours to equip stakeholders with the resources they need to effect and achieve real change.

The anticipated impact of the Sport GVP project is profound. The research initiative seeks to extend its influence much beyond its immediate participants, with an estimated 550 sports professionals and stakeholders participating. Through events and awareness-raising activities, Sport GVP seeks to engage over 100,000 individuals and professionals, catalysing a widespread shift in attitudes and behaviours surrounding gender-based violence in sports.

The kick-off meeting of the Sport GVP project signs a new era of accountability and advocacy within the sports community. By confronting the issue of gender-based violence head-on and equipping stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to address it effectively, Sport GVP is an outstanding sign of progress, motioning a collective commitment to fostering safe and inclusive sporting environments for all.

Central to the discussions of the consortium were the insights deduced from the consortium’s desk research aimed to examine existing studies, policy papers and reports on the fields in each of the implementing countries to identify the extent and forms of gender-based violence, behavioral patterns, legal framework, and best practices to inform the development of an effective support package for coaches, trainers, practitioners, and educators.

For more information on the project, please visit the website at https://sportgvp.eu/

Key facts

Project period: January 2024-December 2025

Co-funded by: Erasmus+ Sport Cooperation Partnerships

Grant amount: €250,000

Project partners

1. EDEX – Educational Excellence Corporation Limited, Cyprus, Coordinator
2. ISCA – International Sport and Culture Association, Denmark, Partner
3. CESIE, Italy, Partner
4. KMOP – Education & Innovation Hub, Greece, Partner
5. CARDET – Centre for the Advancement of Research in Educational Technology Ltd, Cyprus, Partner
6. TAKT – Zdruzenie Za Unapreduvanje Megusebna Dobrevna, North-Macedonia, Partner