Girls’ and Women’s Engagement with Physical Activity

It is not religion per se that keeps girls and women away from being physically active. It is the politics behind that sometimes prohibits one half of society to live a healthier life.

This was one of the outcomes of the Margaret Talbot Symposium which took place during the 2016 ICSEMIS, held from 31 August until 4 September 2016 in Santos, Brazil.

Under the guiding title Girls, Women and Physical Activity: Religion, Culture, Tradition and National Policies around the world, experts and over 100 participants reflected what hinders women and girls from participating in physical activity and sport.

This was one of the dominant themes throughout Margaret Talbot’s career, and it continues to be topic of considerable importance, within ICSSPE and further afield. Margaret Talbot, former ICSSPE President who died in 2014, led the way in advocating for equity in sport, physical activity and physical education, and it was fitting that this great visionary’s work was remembered through this unique symposium.

The symposium, sponsored by Nike Inc., was moderated by ICSSPE Honorary President Gudrun Doll-Tepper.

Tansin Benn from the United Kingdom gave a fascinating talk about the need to Accept and Respect, which made the case for diversity and difference through sport. Drawing a range of disciplinary insights, from education, pedagogy, development studies and sociology, she gave numerous examples from her own work with Muslim girls to show what can and must be done.

Jorid Hovden from Norway focused on sociological and social policy perspectives. Her talk, Powerful women as change agents in Scandinavian sport, showed some of the ways in which women can drive change, and create a culture of equality in sport.

Pablo Scharagrodsky came from Argentina, and offered a Latin American perspective. Drawing on historical and sociological scholarship, Scharagrodsky presented some exciting ideas for promoting just and equitable spaces for women.

The final speaker was Richard Bailey from ICSSPE. After reminiscing about conversations with Margaret Talbot, Bailey offered a philosophical critique of the common policy of increasing choice and opportunity, without addressing the wider cultural problems generated by patriarchal societies.