Unveiling Gender Disparities in Albanian Sports: Insights from UN Women's Assessment

“Women and girls in Albania face significant underrepresentation and limited participation in sports due to rooted gender stereotypes, inadequate funding, and biased media portrayal”. These are some of the key findings from the "Gender Equality and Women's Participation in Sports in Albania" assessment, conducted by UN Women.

The report, developed as part of the regional initiative "Youth for Inclusion, Equality and Trust," supported by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, was presented to representatives from the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Olympic Committee, journalists, and sports organizations. Data analysis focused on basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

Findings underscored the low presence of women coaches and leaders within sports organizations, attributed to insufficient institutional support, gender stereotypes, and the absence of female role models. This disparity is also evident in the gender pay gap, which continues to persist.

Media portrayal emerged as a significant contributor to gender bias in sports, with a tendency to spotlight boys' sports or depict female athletes using sexist and stereotypical language.

Key findings also underscore the lack of investment in girls' sports and organizations dedicated to women's and girls' sports compared to men’s.

This assessment offers recommendations for promoting gender equality in sports, drawing from successful initiatives across European countries. The document presents guidelines for governmental bodies, the Olympic Committee, sports federations, the private sector, and the media.

Ultimately, this publication aims to catalyze efforts toward equality, social cohesion, and peace among youth in Albania, while serving as a valuable resource for similar initiatives in the Western Balkans.

Click here for the Albanian version.