IAPESGW Special Issue Highlights Gender, Physical Education and Sport

ICSSPE is pleased to highlight the publication of a new special issue of International Sports Studies dedicated to Gender, Physical Education and Sport, featuring voices and research connected to the 20th IAPESGW World Congress.

 

The special issue, published as International Sports Studies, Volume 48, Special Issue 1, 2026, brings together a wide range of contributions exploring gender equity, inclusion, participation, leadership, and lived experiences in physical education and sport. It follows the 20th World Congress of the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW), held in November 2025 in Cebu, Philippines, under the theme “Equity in Action: A Global Dialogue on the Advancement of Women and Girls in Physical Education and Sport Innovation.”

 

As an ICSSPE member, IAPESGW continues to play an important role in advancing international dialogue, research and action to ensure that women and girls have equitable access to physical education, sport and dance. Through global events, publications, webinars and collaborations with organisations such as UNESCO, the United Nations, Women Sport International and the International Working Group on Women in Sport, IAPESGW contributes to policy, practice and advocacy for gender equity in sport and physical education.

 

The special issue includes an editorial by Hazel Maxwell and Helena Altmann, as well as a series of review and original research articles addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities in the field. Topics covered include community-led physical activity programmes for women and girls, motivation and participation in physical education, body image and self-perception, gender equity in higher education PE, inclusive pedagogy, women coaches, gender and disability in adapted physical education, LGBTQ+ experiences, and gender differences in athlete readiness monitoring.

 

Across the contributions, the publication highlights the persistent inequalities that continue to shape access to and experiences of sport and physical education. It also showcases practical pathways for change, including gender-sensitive pedagogy, inclusive curricula, student-centred approaches, safer learning environments, flexible policies, community ownership and stronger institutional support.

 

For ICSSPE, this publication reflects the continued importance of international research collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing inclusive and equitable sport systems. It also reinforces the valuable role of ICSSPE members such as IAPESGW in generating evidence, strengthening advocacy and supporting the global movement for gender equity in sport, physical education and physical activity.

 

ICSSPE warmly congratulates IAPESGW, the guest editors, authors and contributors involved in this special issue and encourages members, partners, researchers, educators and practitioners to engage with the publication and its findings.

 

The special issue is available for download below.