Sports as Gendered Space: Holistic Understanding of Inclusivity and Equality

Sports as an industry has changed qualitatively as well as quantitatively in India. This research aims to understand the participation of women in sports as a way to reach socio-economic empowerment at the individual as well as community level. Sport programmes can enhance the empowerment process by challenging gender norms, reducing restrictions, and offering greater mobility, access to public spaces, and more opportunities for their physical, intellectual, and social development. The study revolves around Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts from West Bengal. Sixty (60) sports persons were interviewed including males and females for the study. The objectives of the study will be (1) to identify the factors behind participation of women in sports across multiple socio-cultural settings; (2) to find out the opinion of women participants regarding the transformations taking place in conceptualising sports; and (3) to describe collective consciousness around sports including the media. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development acknowledges sport as an important enabler. Sports can amplify the message of equality and peace through effective, accountable, and extensive holistic institutional support with special emphasis on human rights-based inclusiveness.