Representatives of Riojan Basketball and Athletics Federations have read a monthly concentration manifesto in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
The Plaza del Ayuntamiento has hosted the monthly concentration against gender violence this Friday, with the participation of members of the Corporation and representatives of other institutions and groups, where a manifesto was read by representatives of the Riojan Basketball and Athletics Federations.
The Councilor of Alcaldía, Governance, Equality, and Spokesperson, Celia Sanz, has opened the event, emphasizing and thanking in her words the «unity» of the entire Riojan society against macho violence.
Subsequently, she has given way to the President of the Riojan Athletics Federation, Patricia Lorente, and the Vice President of the Riojan Basketball Federation, Clari Martínez, who have read the manifesto at this concentration.
As they have pointed out, «the sports world is a reflection of society, so situations of inequality and discrimination towards women are also experienced within it, whether they are athletes, coaches, technicians, managers, or referees.»
This is exemplified by difficulties and obstacles in achieving their sports and professional goals, such as invisibility in the media, lack of contracts and labor agreements providing stability to their work, non-professional leagues, salaries below the interprofessional minimum wage, difficulties in accessing technical and managerial positions in clubs and sports federations, or situations of harassment.
They have detailed that, according to the latest data published by the Higher Sports Council in 2023, women represent 24.3% of the total licensed athletes in Spain. Additionally, only 25% of people in management positions on club boards are women, only 6% of sports media is led by women, and only 1% of global commercial sponsorship is allocated to women’s sports.
Sports and physical activity, due to their educational and media potential, constitute a driver of social change, and although there is still a long way to go, we are gradually moving towards a more equal situation between women and men in this field,» they added.
They have pointed out that «education and awareness are key, especially in families and educational centers, to instill new social models that eliminate the sexist stereotypes that still persist and promote sports practice in all individuals regardless of their gender.«
Furthermore, it is essential to promote equity in sports, taking into account the existing differences between women and men, but without limiting their possibilities,» they affirmed.
In their opinion, «the Equality Observatory in Sports of the Higher Sports Council is a key tool to promote real and effective equality between women and men, remove obstacles that hinder the equality of high-level athletes with disabilities, and promote equal treatment and opportunities in the Spanish sports system.
From the sports world, we firmly denounce all forms of violence against women, especially sexual violence, which instill fear and restrict the freedom of girls, adolescents, and women,» they stated.
To conclude, they asserted that «through sports, we reaffirm our commitment to the freedom and guarantee of women’s rights to safety, physical and psychological integrity, health, education, social and political participation.
For a Safe Sport, with respect, dignity, equality, and freedom, women involved in sports demand ZERO tolerance towards aggressors and express our most unanimous and conscious cry against macho violence,» they concluded amidst applause and the invitation to the same location for next month’s concentration.
