Olympic House Workshop Promotes Gender Equality in Sports Media

The Olympic House recently sponsored a Council of Europe event that brought together sports media experts to investigate the influence of sports coverage on creating gender norms and stereotypes. The event, co-hosted by the Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union on November 2nd, was part of the European Union-Council of Europe project "All In Plus."

The emphasis was on promoting meaningful talks to enhance knowledge of the difficulties associated with gender inequality in sports, with subjects such as unconscious prejudice, narrative, safe reporting, and depiction addressed.

The event also highlighted the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) ongoing efforts to promote gender equality both on and off the playing field. The IOC Portrayal Guidelines, stressing gender-equal, fair, and inclusive communication methods, were presented to 27 European sports media professionals.

During the Conference on Gender Equality in Sport, held on November 14 and 15 in Madrid, the Spanish Presidency of the European Union highlighted its commitment to gender equality in sports. The Olympism365 plan, which aligns sport with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, was offered as a key area of support for the IOC's gender equality initiatives.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is dedicated to creating a secure environment for athletes, has authorized plans for prototype regional safeguarding hubs in Southern Africa and the Pacific Islands. The project is part of the IOC's Human Rights Strategic Framework and the IOC's Gender Equality and Inclusion Objectives for 2021-2024.

Tine Vertommen, an IOC Safe Sport Unit specialist, emphasized sport's dual role in gender-based violence, recognizing its ability to both reinforce and counteract gender stereotypes. As part of the Olympism365 strategy, the IOC stressed collaboration and common goals for attaining fairness, equality, and inclusion via sports.