Designing a Model for Institutionalizing Gender Equality in Women's Sports: A Constructivist Approach
Subject Areas : Sport Sciences Quarterly
timor Solimanbigi
1
,
Jamshid Hemmati
2
*
,
omid karimipour
3
1 -
2 - Assistant Professor in Sports Management, Department of Sports Sciences, Behbahan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Behbahan, Iran
3 -
Keywords: Gender equality, women's sports, institutionalization, grounded theory, constructivist approach.,
Abstract :
Gender equality is one of the fundamental components of sustainable development in contemporary societies. However, women in the field of sports continue to face structural, cultural, and institutional barriers that hinder their equal access to athletic opportunities. The aim of this study was to design a model for the institutionalization of gender equality in Iranian sports. This research was qualitative in nature and employed the constructivist grounded theory approach. Participants included key stakeholders such as national-level male and female athletes, experts in women's sports, sports managers, sports sociologists, and sports law professionals. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and theoretical sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, resulting in a total of 22 interviews. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews, and data was analyzed through the overlapping processes of open coding and focused coding. The emerging theory from the data revealed that the institutionalization of gender equality in Iranian sports involves dynamic interactions among various factors and levels and does not necessarily follow historical patterns. This means that the first prerequisite for institutionalizing gender equality in Iranian sports is the establishment of security—at individual, public, and social levels. Following the assurance of security, different forms of support must be provided, including media support, legal support, social support, governmental support, and support from sports organizations. The next phase involves empowerment and development, which includes collective empowerment, individual empowerment, succession planning, and advocacy by women. Finally, at the highest level, social action must take place, involving the breaking of the glass ceiling, the redefinition of human and social identity, and the confrontation with gender norms.
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