Let’s set ambitious targets for women, girls

Published date25 September 2022
Publication titleHerald on Sunday
Its original intention was not solely targeted towards sport but addressing any discrimination, on the basis of sex, in educational institutions that received federal funding. The law attempted to provide equity of opportunity for those attending these institutions, when providing their programmes and activities

Women’s football is one of Title IX’s great success stories, building a sport from 313 university players in the 1971-72 season to the establishment of the US women’s national side that successfully argued its case for equal pay with their male counterparts, an achievement that will have a greater lasting impact on the women’s sporting world than any record that could be set.

Despite this legislation, the opportunity gap still looms large for women and girls in sport. In Aotearoa, we have seen attempts at closing this gap in the boardroom lead to New Zealand Rugby losing $280,000 of Sport New Zealand funding, with more sanctions to follow for each year they miss the 40 per cent representation target for women in governance. It seems no matter the timeline given, compliance will remain an issue while old ideas remain entrenched.

We have had sports from gymnastics to cycling to rowing to rugby all undertake reviews following concerns over wāhine athletes’ treatment. As a result we have heard a number of apologies and pledges to do things differently. Perhaps it’s time for New Zealand to introduce its own game changer, break this cycle of review and remorse and tackle the issue head-on.

Surely now, after...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT