Women are being shut out of careers in sport by entrenched sexism, discrimination, and workplace bullying, MPs have been told. A parliamentary select committee heard that female coaches are routinely overlooked, undermined, and denied opportunities despite their qualifications.
The experts, who appeared before the committee on Thursday, highlighted the need for change to address these issues. They argued that the current culture in UK sport is not conducive to women's participation and progression.
The issue of sexism and bullying in sport has gained national attention in recent years. In 2016, a report by the Women's Sport Trust found that only 15% of sports governing bodies had a female majority on their boards. The report also found that women made up just 12% of sports coaches and 5% of sports executives.
The Government has committed to increasing women's participation in sport, but experts say more needs to be done to address the ingrained sexism and bullying in the industry. They are calling for greater support and resources to help women overcome these barriers and achieve their potential.
The issue is not just about individual women, but about the wider impact on society. By excluding women from careers in sport, we are missing out on their talents, skills, and perspectives. This is not only unfair but also detrimental to the sport itself.