A poll by AXA Health of 3,000 female sports players found unwanted comments included being told women weren’t as good at sports as men (42%), or women in sport were inferior or ‘soft’ (32%)
The main source of unwanted comments came from:
- male strangers on the street (47%)
- male athletes (44%)
- male coaches (36%)
88% said coaches, officials, spectators and those in the sporting community need to do more to stop sexist abuse. The top suggestions to improve culture are:
- speaking out when they see abuse (74%)
- promoting equal opportunities (65%)
- giving praise to women when they deserve it (56%)
58% of those who have been subjected to sexist abuse admitted it made them consider quitting sport altogether.