Breaking Barriers: How Sports Can Challenge Misogyny and Gender-Based Violence in Society?
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a grave societal issue, sustained by systemic inequalities, cultural norms, and institutional failures. While these issues require multi-faceted solutions, one powerful avenue for change is through sports. With its universal appeal and capacity to unite diverse groups, sports provide a unique platform to challenge harmful stereotypes and historical societal norms, promote gender equity, and foster positive behaviours.
Sports reflect and shape societal values. When used intentionally, they can challenge outdated norms that marginalise women and reinforce patriarchal systems. Traditional gender roles often assign physicality, strength, and leadership to men while relegating women to supportive or secondary positions.
Around the world, sports organisations are already leveraging the power of athletics to address gender-based violence and combat misogyny. Organisations like Futures Without Violence and their programme ‘Coaching Boys Into Men’ (CBIM) train coaches to teach young male athletes about respect, consent, and accountability, using sports as a medium to address harmful attitudes towards women. Most recently, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) launched their ‘Game Changer’ project, which aims to tackle domestic and sexual gender-based violence through conversations across clubs and communities. Sports can combat GBV by addressing its underlying causes of rigid gender roles, lack of awareness, and entrenched cultural norms that normalise violence.
The media also plays a critical role in shaping perceptions of GBV. Recent high-profile cases, such as Conor McGregor’s civil court ruling in Ireland, underscore the importance of transparency, accountability, and collective action in addressing GBV. Misogynistic narratives, whether through the objectification of females or victim blaming—still persist. While sports offer an incredible platform for promoting positive behaviours, systemic changes are crucial to maximising its impact. High-profile cases often attract polarised opinions, with celebrity culture sometimes shielding individuals from full accountability. However, they also serve as catalysts for broader societal discussions. Sporting organisations such as the GAA, IFA, and Rugby associations can take stronger stances against misogyny in online and community avenues by advocating for accountability and education. In schools and communities, sports can serve as a hands-on platform for teaching values of equality, teamwork, and respect.
Tackling GBV requires collective action across multiple fronts. Encouraging men to challenge toxic masculinity and become allies in addressing GBV is critical. When men and boys are exposed to positive male role models who advocate for gender equality, they are more likely to reject harmful stereotypes and adopt healthier attitudes. Programmes such as CBIM (recently launched in NI) show that when men are taught to challenge violence-supportive attitudes and intervene as bystanders, they become agents of change in their communities.
Addressing gender-based violence requires a multi-pronged approach. By amplifying survivors’ voices, holding perpetrators accountable, and educating communities, we can create a culture of zero tolerance for violence. Sports have the power to transform societies, not just through competition but through the values they instil. By challenging gender norms, providing equitable opportunities, and fostering mutual respect, sports can play a pivotal role in combating GBV and misogyny. It’s time to leverage this universal platform to inspire a future where equality is not just an ideal but a lived reality and where we can create a world where everyone has the freedom to dream, compete, thrive, and feel safe—regardless of gender.
About the author:
Nicole Devlin is a PhD Researcher at Queen’s University Belfast. She is also a Churchill Fellow (2023), having researched the implementation of a gender-based violence prevention programme in the United States. Coaching Boys into Men has since been implemented by Nicole in Northern Ireland.
Find out more about Coaching Boys into Men Northern Ireland: https://linktr.ee/CBIMNI
