Sports is one area where gender inequality is highly evident. It is deplorable that even today, women are treated so differently, especially in sports. Women in India are still seen as home-making and child-rearing machines. In some cities, women have also started earning their own living but participation in sports is still gloomy. Major problems are social, psychological, financial and family issues. Sexual harassment by the coaches is nothing new.
The media and the people are also at fault with the “extra-interest” in the personal lives of sports women and creating a controversy about it, for instance, the sports costumes they wear. The finest of sports women in India have faced discrimination at some level in their sports career, be it at the hands of authorities, selection teams, coaches, governments, or even their own families. Remember that moment in 2009 when India’s former sprint queen, P.T. Usha broke down in front of the media regarding the discrimination meted out to her?
The situation has not changed much till now, but I think we are headed towards betterment with so many talented sports women in India reaching the peaks. We’re all rooting for Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, amongst many others.
All we probably need is need to recognise that differences exist and a will to push towards equal opportunities. Like many things in life, the change begins with us.