Activity Alliance embraces equity on International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) this year will #EmbraceEquity.
The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme is to get the people talking about why equal opportunities aren't enough. True inclusion and belonging requires equitable action.
Today, we feel it is important to highlight that many disabled women are missing out on the lifelong benefits of sport and physical activity. Our 2021-22 Annual Disability and Activity Survey showed that disabled women are less likely to feel they are given the opportunity to be as active as they want to be compared to disabled men and non-disabled women. They are also less likely to agree that physical activity is for ‘someone like me’.
As the national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity we believe every woman deserves the right to be active in the way they wish to. We want sport and activity to be a meaningful experience, no matter where or how disabled people choose to take part.
Women’s only yoga
Our Get Out Get Active (GOGA) programme supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. On International Women’s Day we are shining a light on a GOGA partner in Scotland that runs women’s only yoga sessions.
GOGA Tayside spotted a gap in physical activity opportunities that targeted women in the local area. The Tayside team decided to speak with women in the community who mentioned they avoided “traditional” or “mainstream” physical activities for cultural and religious reasons.
From those conversations, the team created a physical activity programme that could be easily accessed by women that would help them with their health and wellbeing. The sessions were such a success there are plans to expand the programme across Tayside in collaboration with local leisure providers.
Read more about women's only yoga in Tayside here.
Engaging more disabled women
Sport England supported Activity Alliance to create a series of engagement factsheets for sport and activity providers to think about the ways they include disabled people.
Our ‘Engaging all Women in Sport and Activity’ resource was produced in partnership with Women in Sport. It provides top tips on how to engage more women, including disabled women. It includes advice from programming and delivery for disabled women through to inclusive communication and marketing.
Visit our resources page to download the factsheet.
International Women’s Day takes place on the 8 March every year. To find more about getting involved with IWD and the #EmbraceEquity campaign visit www.internationalwomensday.com.
