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Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation and Sporting Equals. Review Date Jan 2010
Muslim women’s attitudes
towards sports and physical In general, Islam promotes good
activity
health and fitness and encourages
In addition to sports providers considering how both men and women to engage in
to design their services in order to appeal to
physical activity to maintain
Muslim women, the attitudes of Muslim women
and girls towards sport and activity need to be healthy lifestyles.
sensitively developed in order to increase
participation.
Muslim women’s attitudes towards sport are
Comparisons between Muslim women’s attitudes also inevitably affected by a lack of visible role
towards sport in different countries have models. However, in recent years this has
provided interesting results. In traditional started to change, Muslim women athletes
Muslim countries attitudes are actually far more competed in and were involved with the
positive towards PE than in the UK. Young organisation of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Muslim women in the UK seem to have very Although none of these women were from the
negative views regarding PE in schools. UK this can still be used to demonstrate to
Research conducted with Muslim girls in the young Muslim women in this country that
school environment has demonstrated that the wearing the hijab (head scarf) is not an obstacle
girls were put off participating in sporting to excelling in life and sports. Celebrating and
activities to the point where some were skipping promoting these positive images is key to
classes. This was due to a requirement to developing long term attitudinal change and
shower communally and wear clothing which increasing participation levels.
was considered as ‘inappropriate’ to the
children’s cultural traditions and beliefs. The As well as a lack of role models, family
researchers (Carroll and Hollinshead) found that expectations about the role of young women
‘for the devout Muslims there is a real feeling of have an impact on participation. A study carried
guilt and shame at exposing their bodies and out by Loughborough University in 2006
legs which had not been fully appreciated by the revealed extensive parental influence on young
teachers.’ women’s involvement in sport and over their
lives as a whole; It highlighted the extent to
This and similar studies help to demonstrate which young Muslim women ‘navigated between
that young Muslim women’s attitudes towards their family identity and the experiences they
sport and fitness activities in the UK are heavily were exposed to on a day-to-day basis’. Sports’
influenced by the way activities are delivered deliverers should consider the importance of
and whether due regard is given to cultural getting family “buy in” for female participation
sensitivities. when developing programmes.
Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation and Sporting Equals. Review Date Jan 2010
Barriers facing Muslim
women’s participation in sport Communication
The barriers to participation for Muslim women Language is often a barrier as being
are not hugely different from those faced by unable to communicate causes
many women. The table below illustrates the anxiety and uncertainty around how
most common reasons given for non to approach and access services.
participation and engagement in sport and Lack of women only sessions
physical activity.
Most Muslim women will only play
Dress code sport in a female only environment.
Childcare
Sports facilities/ teams/ clubs do not
always appreciate the need for Traditionally the sole responsibility of
modest dress. women. Although attitudes are
Facilities changing provision of crèche facilities
will allow greater access for women
Facilities need to be clean and water with children.
available to thoroughly wash after Socio-economic differences
using the wc. Provision of a prayer
room or quiet area is required as Statistically BME people earn less
most Muslim women will observe than their white counterparts which
payer during specified times in the limits access particularly for women
day. who often give financial priority to
Lack of Role Models their families.
Time
The visibility of British BME women in
sport will help to break barriers and Other commitments such as childcare
make the environment more inclusive. and running the home take priority
Parental Approval and sports organisations should
consult with the community regarding
This is especially important for young the timetabling of events.
women whose parents need to
understand the benefits of sport to Employment
allow them to encourage out of
school activities and feel comfortable More needs to be done to encourage
that the environment will be safe. young women to access employment
Transport within the sector to help break down
barriers and act as a resource to
It is often more appropriate for equip other staff with knowledge
women to access services locally as about the communities they serve.
most will not have access to transport This includes the admin side of sport.
and will be reluctant to use public Environment
transport in the evening if they are on
their own. Safety, lighting and security are
Social Side important to prevent racially
motivated incidents.
The traditional social side of sport Information
does not link in with the religious
requirements of Muslim women who Information should be made available
do not drink alcohol and will not in other languages and services
partake in activity which may be marketed in appropriate places such
consider in appropriate and as schools and mosques to ensure
incompatible with their beliefs. women become aware of what’s on
offer.
Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation and Sporting Equals. Review Date Jan 2010
Designing programmes for
Muslim women • Develop Positive Action initiatives to increase
Sport and physical activity providers need to your workforce profile to reflect the
respect religious difference. This is especially community it serves.
important for Muslim women as they are often
overlooked by providers and discriminated • Encourage volunteers from within Muslim
against on the grounds of religion and belief. communities.
Religious and cultural barriers make it difficult • Ensure action is taken in the face of
for Muslim women to participate in sport as discrimination or stereotyping.
people are often lacking sensitivity or
understanding of their requirement around • Ensure male participants or coaches can’t
clothing, privacy and single sex provision. attend or accidentally walk in.
Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation and Sporting Equals. Review Date Jan 2010