2023-08-17 16:13:37
BarcelonaOne of the most impactful exhibitions this summer is I play like a girl!, an interactive tour that vindicates the role of women’s sport at the Palau Robert in Barcelona. “This is a continuation of the book we already made about the Sports superheroes, which pursues the goal of creating more visibility spaces for women’s sports. The objective is to create and consolidate references. The exhibition is aimed at a child and youth audience and, therefore, had to be very playful and interactive. The aim is for both girls and boys to internalize female references in the sport while playing. It’s not just about seeing the names, it’s about seeing images of women’s sport in action. We try to leave the visit knowing more references than you knew at the entrance. It’s not a quick process, but athletic girls will believe that they can become professional in sports. In the future, playing like a girl will no longer be a derogatory comment,” Laia Tudel, curator of the exhibition, explains to ARA.
“Regardless of their profession, women have to overcome obstacles, because society is designed by and for men. There are many of them. If we look at the specific case of female athletes, there are very visible obstacles, such as insults they receive, sexist or belittling commentators. I thought they weren’t made anymore, that they sounded old, but they still exist. In the style of ‘Go to scrub’ or ‘Go to the kitchen’. The exhibition collects similar comments from recent years, documented with videos or messages on social networks,” warns the Catalunya Ràdio journalist.
This is the visible part, but then there are obstacles that go more unnoticed. “The wage gap, for example. Tennis, padel and some football teams are among the few examples where the situation is trying to equalize, but the gap is still very large. In addition, the conditions in which many women have to play sports. It’s a fact that has to do with professionalization. The resources they invest in them are very different. It’s a grievance that has to do with the facilities, the changing rooms, the schedules…” , sums up.
Even the academic world has been slow to react. “There are few studies that analyze the injuries of female athletes. It is a fact that is being tried to be corrected, but it is another of the obstacles that ends up influencing performance. The lack of women in positions of responsibility in the world of sports is also worrying sport, whether directing, managing or training,” warns Tudel.
The media are not alien to this metamorphosis that society is experiencing. “Journalists have the same obstacles as any woman. Ours is a very masculinized profession, but little by little we are making progress. The mentality of the older generations is difficult to change. Sometimes it’s hard and you have the feeling that you still you’re making a place for yourself in a world that’s not your own. I’m optimistic that the new generations have a different vision, but sports journalism needs more women in the leadership role,” says Tudel.
Change needs references
The journalist understands the importance of creating references. “Famous sportswomen play an important role because they are the ones who have the most space both in the media and on social networks. When you start a sports practice, having a reference is very important. If you have someone to look up to, you motivate yourself . The Barça soccer players, for example, are doing a job, also among the children. They are aware of this and always want to help. The future depends on the fact that there are references so that they are valued and idolized,” she says.
“Barça and football are taking everything. Is something changing or is it an isolated case? I want to think that they are the leaders. Thanks to them, changes are coming and women’s sports are being talked about a lot. The ‘bet is firm and will cause the appearance of more cases,’ argues Tudel. The journalist would like to see the focus of the news covering women’s sport begin to evolve. “The World Cup must serve to consolidate the step forward that women’s football has taken and show that the institutions believe in its professionalization. It is time to start focusing not only on the social side but on the sporting aspects.”
#play #girl #stop #derogatory #comment