Low levels of gendered harassment found in an Australian sport with high female leadership

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-03-21 03:00

Australia; VIC

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Women participating in a popular Australian sport with women well-represented in positions of authority report relatively low levels of gendered harassment, according to Australian research. The researchers surveyed women participating in the sport in any role about their experiences with gendered harassment including sexist remarks, crude behaviour, infantilisation and the enforcement of gendered norms. The researchers chose not to name the sport in their study for ethical reasons, but they say women make up 40% of board members at national and state levels, and men's and women's leagues are both long-established. The researchers say the women surveyed reported relatively low levels of gendered harassment, but referees were more likely to be harassed, as were younger women.