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. 2025 Jun 6;25(1):2117.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23373-0.

Challenges and successes in promoting gender equality through physical education and sports: a systematic review

Mustafa Enes Işıkgöz  1 , Murat Şahbudak  2 , Melike Esentaş Deveci  3 , Mustafa Öztunç  4
Affiliations

Challenges and successes in promoting gender equality through physical education and sports: a systematic review

Mustafa Enes Işıkgöz et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Physical education and sport can contribute to gender equality by supporting physical, mental, and social well-being. However, persistent challenges, including social norms, gender discrimination, and structural barriers, continue to limit progress in these areas.

Methods: This study used a systematic review methodology following the PRISMA protocol. A thematic analysis of 65 relevant studies was carried out to examine the progress and ongoing challenges in advancing gender equality through physical education and sports.

Results: The analysis indicates that educational programmes, progressive policies, and innovative teaching methods have contributed to advancing gender equality, particularly through increased representation of female athletes and leaders, who serve as influential role models. However, these positive developments face challenges, including limited resources, educators' insufficient awareness of gender issues, and the short-term nature of many interventions.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the essential need for long-term systemic strategies aimed at amplifying educator awareness, fortifying women's leadership opportunities, and dismantling structural inequities. Future research must prioritize the development of culturally responsive interventions and an in-depth examination of varied socioeconomic contexts to forge more inclusive and sustainable pathways to achieving gender equality in physical education and sports.

Trial registration: The completed PRISMA checklist is provided as a supplementary file and is also available via the Figshare repository: https://figshare.com/s/a088d4ef6e3b26cfd987.

Keywords: Challenges; Discrimination; Gender equality; Physical education and sport; Sports policy; Successes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to particpate: This systematic review used publicly available data and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. All sources were properly cited in accordance with academic integrity standards. Although no ethics committee approval was required for this review of the literature, the study followed international guidelines for ethical research work. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prisma flow chart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Distribution of successes (ST1–ST6) and challenges (CT1–CT6). Note. ST/CT codes reflect original synthesis, not prior frameworks
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Development of studies by year
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Distribution of studies by country
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Distribution of studies by subject area. Note. Percentages exceed 100% as studies were classified under multiple relevant subject areas
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Word cloud with the keywords from the identified studies
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Frequency distribution of recurring keywords
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Gender equality successes and challenges in physical education/sport. Note. Percentages reflect the proportion of included studies coded for each theme (ST: Successes, CT: Challenges)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. UNESCO. What you need to know about how UNESCO advances education and gender equality. 2025. https://www.unesco.org/en/gender-equality/education/need-know . Accessed 5 Mar 2025.
    1. UNESCO. Sport and gender equality game plan: Guidelines for gender-transformative sport policies and programmes. UNESCO. 2024. 10.18356/9789231006920.
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