Recognizing that girls and women still face barriers to participation and leadership positions in sport, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, congratulated the University of Toronto and its partners on the official launch of the Research Hub for Gender+ Equity in Sport.
Directed by Professor Gretchen Kerr from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Professor Guylaine Demers of Laval University and Professor Ann Pegoraro of the University of Guelph, the hub will serve as a central resource of knowledge dedicated to gender+ equity in sport.
“The launch of the Research Hub for Gender+ Equity in Sport is an important step in achieving gender equity in Canadian sport,” said Guilbeault. “The hub’s work will help create environments where girls and women feel comfortable participating in sport, regardless of their age and level.”
The Government of Canada invested $1.6 million in the development of the hub, which began operations a week ago, as one of the government’s initiatives to achieve gender equity in sport at all levels by 2035.
According to recent research:
• 41 percent of girls age 3 to 17 and 84 percent of women do not participate in sport;
• 1 in 3 girls is likely to drop out of sport between the ages of 9 and 12;
• Women's sport occupies only 4% of all sports media coverage;
• Only 16% of coaches at the national level and 25% of coaches at all levels of sport in Canada are women.
“The establishment of the Research Hub for Gender+ Equity in Sport represents an important and unique opportunity for researchers and practitioners to work together to advance gender+ equity in sport participation and leadership,” said Kerr. “Through the production, curation and sharing of knowledge, the hub will make significant contributions in achieving gender+ equity by 2035.”
All research results will be published on the E-Alliance website, which will also house resources and information to help create environments where women and girls feel comfortable and safe participating in physical activity and sport at all ages and levels.
Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport), said it was essential that girls and women have the same opportunities to participate in all levels of sport, physical activity and recreation.
“I am pleased to see the research hub officially launch and begin its work to help us identify and break down the barriers that exist between women and all of the benefits of physically active and healthy lifestyles. This important research provides a solid foundation on which we can work with the sport community to build a healthier Canada,” he said.