Achieving gender equity: barriers and possibilities at board level in Swedish sport

Abstract

Research questions How is the ‘problem’ of gender equity described, perceived and experienced by female and male board members in Swedish sport today? What key dilemmas can be identified in the realisation of a gender equitable sport management?Research methods The article builds on research conducted on three Swedish ball sport federations during 2020–2021 and is based on a total number of 27 (12 males, 15 females) structured interviews with top leaders. The methodology employs Fraser’s concept of gender justice and the need to pay attention to cultural and economic dimensions in transformative interventions.Results and Findings Three dilemmas relating to the realisation of gender equity are analysed: between quotas and stigmatisation, overcoming gender equity as a side-project and how the democratic infrastructure of Swedish sport enables men’s continued dominance. The findings indicate that one-dimensional (affirmative) interventions dominate, which in turn explain why achieving gender equity in Swedish sport is difficult, i.e. cultural interventions only limit the chances of achieving gender equity.Implications To implement transformative interventions, cultural and economic resources need to be equally recognised and redistributed so that the organisations’ gender order is deconstructed and participation on equally recognised terms secured.

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