Challenges Faced by a Sports Woman in Pakistani Society

42 Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Challenges Faced by a Sports Woman in Pakistani Society

A. Gul (Ayesha Gul)1, S. Jahangig (Shagufta Jahangir)2, M. Nadeemullah (Mohammad Nadeemullah)3, R. Changezi (Rahim Changezi)4, A. Naz (Arab Naz)5

1 Social Work Deptt. SBK Women’s University Quetta, Pakistan. 2 Scholar Karachi University. Sindh Pakistan. 3 Karachi University Sindh, Pakistan. 4 Social Work Deptt. University of Balochistan, Pakistan. 5 Malakand University. Dir Khyberpakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

E-mail address: [email protected]

Reprint address: Ayesha Gul Social Work Dept. SBKWU University Balochistan Bawrery Road, Quetta Balochistan Pakistan

Source: Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Pages: Cited references: 11

Reviewers: Gabriela Lezcano University of California, San Francisco, USA Zofia Szarota Pedagogical University of Cracow, Poland

Keywords: Sportswomen. Social Behavior. Subordinate. Human Rights. Gender Discrimination.

Publisher: International Society of Applied Preventive Medicine i-gap

Abstract: In many societies sports are considered as an inappropriate activity for women as it is traditionally associated with masculinity. The aim of this study is to critically analyze the social issues and challenges of

Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Vol. 10 No. 4 2019 Original Articles 43

sportswomen in Pakistan. Non-probability sampling for data collec- tion was used and for this purpose, snowball sampling and purposive sampling techniques were applied. The interview schedule is utilized as a tool where 210 sportswomen were approached and had structured and unstructured interviews for having knowledge about their personal qualities and skills of sportswomen. The results of this study highlights that due to social norms, values, customs, culture, myths, traditions, unstable economic conditions and erroneous religious women outlook are not able to participate in sports activities while, sports activities can provide a channel to educate women about their communal, legal and physical rights along with productive and reproductive rights.

Introduction seeing other female athletics as role model The current scenarios of developing in such scenario parents confidence restored nations, the human capital is weak as un- and sending female children to various derdeveloped nations are spending less on sports including judo, karate, taekwondo, education and health then how could they shooting, mountain climbing and rowing. spend for entertainment purpose. In addi- On the other hand if we look up on In- tion, mostly societies are traditional and dia’s situation, it is a secular state there are have different gendered expressions for no problem of veil or any other social re- male and female. So, these socially con- striction but problem for women in sports structed roles create gender disparities in are differing from other countries as females all segments of life, however in that long use to play from their early school and col- list of discriminations I have observe a lit- lege but later they have to give up, because tle circle of women who are playing sports. non-availability of play grounds, coaches Later I searched more about specific sports- or mentors, and of course the equipments women sample, which was a difficult part of or goods required for specific games. Due research, but that time I saw women sports to the reason male in sports are recognized, federation which developed huge interest even fantasized in the world but female’s in- for the researcher to observe their lifestyle clusion is at inborn stage (Sengupta, 2018). and social status in existing societies. On Similarly, Pakistan is also a male dominant that basis, objectives and research questions society and facing sexual division in all seg- were designed to gauge the actual status of ments of the society, so this paper aims to sportswomen in Pakistani society. acknowledge the role of sportswomen in the In developing world the concept of society as females found playing various women and sports not fully establish, it sports; this research is highlighting the role still needs further exploratory because of of patriarchy and male dominant factors on the changing socio-economic status of the lives of sportswomen. women in the world. Whereas if we look It is further finding the barriers including up for previous researches on women and attire and costumes, sexual harassment, hi- sports, international researches have been erarchy, and also analyzing the role of me- found so far, and elaborated that in Iran tra- dia. These mentioned factors are observed ditional beliefs of gender segregation have to acknowledge the social status of sports- been changing for instance under strict veil- women in Pakistani society. However, it is ing policies, women are playing sports after observed that in developed nation that fe-

Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Vol. 10 No. 4 2019 44 Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention males who are playing sports are more con- Recently, we have found one example Sara fident and have high self-esteem. As women Mansoor (tennis player) announced as first are involved in sports related activities from tennis coach in Pakistan. Besides all so- childhood, because of the reason they have cial, religious and economic problems the good physique and higshest psychological brave Pakistani young sportswomen Ra- wellbeing and free from all sort of depres- heela Zameen (footballer) has the honor to sions. If we practice sports for women in become a first female South Asian coach of Pakistan women become more empowered, a professional men’s team but still there are their personality enhance, better health, lack of opportunities, as they do not enter in and of course stable financially. Women in the field of sports while, they proved their sports activities are marginal in Pakistan; determination and showed that their passion the government should provide incentives for sports is not less than that of men. In this to sportswomen in order to encourage fe- regard, government and sports departments males for playing sports to become strong should promote the participation of women in the society. in sports and provide them space to explore their talents because sports activities will Literature Review helpful in promote peace and harmony in the region (Jazbey, 2018). After inception of Pakistan in 1947, pol- Moreover, if we talk about current female itics and economy were the major focused players, Sana Mir and Javeria Khan have areas for the development. Later sports been known as number one in bowling and and Olympics had begun momentum in the booker berth in the ICCI Women’s World country, so this was the time where women T20 in 2018, this triumph also uplift the were only the spectators of sports. However, status women players but also represented few females were playing at school or col- a good picture of Pakistani society at inter- lege levels, all sports related activities were national level (The Nation, 2018). Another halted and strictly forbidden for women in example, a two-time Academy Award win- Pakistan during the Martial Law regime ner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s latest col- (1977-1986) (Asian Development Bank, laboration with HBO SPORTS (A private 2007). TV Channel) for a documentary on ‘STU- It is concluded that there are few wide- DENT ATHLETE’, which has been nomi- ly known positive role models of sports nated for the 2019 NAMIC Vision Awards women are present in the world. According by National Association for Multi-Ethnicity to (Waqar, 2018) the lack of known role in Communications. The awards recognize models, female participation has not been original programming of the documentary increasing with faster pace, as social media that reflected lives, spirit and contributions is also keeping Pakistan’s youth specially of people of color that best reflects the eth- young females away from sports. In Paki- nic and cultural diversity of the viewing stan very limited women become in the po- audience. The film making on sports sub- sition of role models and coaches in sports, ject shows that now researchers director or for instance coach (Sabiha Azhar), Football film makers are working on the subject to (Sadia Shaikh & Fouzia Naz) but in indi- display hided segments of the society on vidual sports (badminton, tennis, martial motion picture in order to increase the au- art) not a single female recognized as fa- diences for encouraging women and sports mous coach in present scenario of Pakistan. related activities.

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Methodology ciety. Similarly, if we look up on sports re- Research is followed by snowball sam- lated activities among men and women, so pling technique of non-probability sam- it is considered that women are inferior to pling. The researcher has used structured men and cannot compete equivalent to men and semi-structure interview techniques in due to lower strength and speed. Whereas, the study. Almost questions are open ended it is medically explained that women have to find out the basic obstacles of the socie- greater flexibility, body mass with fats and ty which hinder the women to participate in small body size which would highly advan- sports activities. The tool of measurement tageous while play sports. It can be said that is simple chi-square technique used by re- women can perform much better as good as searcher. The sample of the study is com- men for instance in running series; synchro- prised of 210 sports women, to approach nized swimming; in horse racing; or even these women, various sports federation can prove themselves footballs game and visited to get sports women respondents for rugby. It is regarded as people have created collecting primary data. a mind sets.

Social, Religious and Economical Issue of Sports Women in Pakistani Society.

Federation’s Name Number of Sample Pakistan Cricket Board 35 Pakistan Hockey Federation 27 Pakistan Football Federation 23 Pakistan Tae Kwando Martial Art Federation 15 Pakistan Table Tennis Federation 10 Pakistan Badminton Federation 13 Pakistan Squash Federation 03 Chess Federation of Pakistan 05 Athletics Federation of Pakistan 29 Sind Women Swimming Association 26 Pakistan Tennis Federation 05 Pakistan Golf Federation 02 Alpine Club of Pakistan (Mountain Climber) 02 Pakistan Weight Lifting Federation 03 Pakistan Scuba Diving Association 02 Indus Scuba Pakistan 10

Results And Discussion According to the available facts, at school Pakistan has very unique geography and colleges levels funds allocations are very with having various cultures and traditions, limited and in such scenario male students which exists in form of sub-societies. How- enrolled more as compared to female stu- ever, the beliefs are saturated from one soci- dents. This is the point when discrimination ety to another society because of associated started and spent funds unequally among myths. The myths are prevailing since ages both the sexes. In fact in Pakistani society, due to lack of education and socio-cultural patriarchs believed that issues on women in misleading behaviors and trends in the so- sports are irrelevant and have no importance

Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Vol. 10 No. 4 2019 46 Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention rather academician or researchers should fo- ination in sports is very common while cus on labor force participation and political a myth is, women lose their femininity and empowerment. So, this the point where the their physical appearance and resembles researcher had brainstormed that sports and like men. These kind of believing para- athletes can have positive role in women’s digms are creating hurdles in sportswomen leadership development in almost all seg- lives and further discourage female youth ments, which could definitely enhance their to become a sports person. social status. Gender balanced global sports report The findings of the existing paper- re finds out, that only cricket is raising their vealed significant, strong relationship profile by increasing sponsorship -oppor among sports activities and socially con- tunities, ground audiences and TV cover- structed values, myths, tradition and cul- age in Australia, England, Wales and India ture. Although the Pakistani women are since last decade (Bailey, 1993). Pakistan very strong, tough, active and talented as and South Africa are also included in this other women’s of the world, but these soci- list, and it is also observed that female etal attitudes create the obstacles for women cricketers who are financially stable have participation in sports activities. According a sound position to play sports professional- to previous researches it was marked that ly throughout the year as compared to other the lower participation of women in sports individual and team events. Sports can help is only because of associated myths that Pakistani women to get empowered and women cannot play, considered bad where- will also help in personality building along as; majority of sportswomen in the current with controlling health issues and last but research informed that culture and tradition not the least will bring economic stability is not obstacle but close relatives and male among women. While interviewing sports- dominancy in family structures are main- women, shared that they feel themselves ly held responsible for this discrimination insecure because the society does not take (Javed, 2014;Burch et al, 2014, McKay, women into decision making process in any 2013; Berberick, 2010). of event or life occurrence. However; sport It is also a ground reality that women is a healthy activity which provides grounds participation has been increased as com- for ideological thinking and for developing pared to the past years but situation re- better gender relations. Research findings main same as societies still do not consider showed that it is very important to aware the sports as an activity for women. Sport is society about the health benefits of the sport a very prominent social institution in al- activities and its importance in developing most all the societies around the world it healthy society and for leading a healthy conventionally connected with masculin- life. ity while, many western sociologists and Meanwhile, scholars explored that feminists declared that sports emulate the women can change their state by their own, society, the shimmering values, myths, through breaking all social barriers while customs and social norms of the society. urged concerned government departments It works for progressive society whereas, to provide them basic necessities for ex- the present societies categorically classify ample education, technical and vocational sports as feminine or masculine, but still trainings, strengthen labor force in order to we see that all sports are considered to be make themselves dominant in the society as for men specifically. Many feminist social men, then it is expected that mind sets could theories determined that gender discrim- be changed especially of parents, families,

Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Vol. 10 No. 4 2019 Original Articles 47 schools, colleges, teachers and administra- cifically for women in Pakistan. Society as tors of that particular area or region (Devi, well as parents does not allow their daugh- 2017). It is observed by Indian researchers ters to play with men at any stage and any that while female players taken trainings sports, because mingling with men is not under coaches or mentors, they faced har- considered unethical. Though, government assments, as misbehaved and many have does not take any positive action for the im- been caught in love affair. It can be said that provement of women’s sports, there must such scenario restricting female to get into be proper policy making for sportswomen sports, as there are many cases in which fe- to promote sport culture among women. It male player terminated from tournaments is unveiled by the women players that gov- instead of culprits i.e. coaches (Ahmad, ernment should provide protection to wom- 2015). en against gender discrimination, ethnicity, Pakistani government need to revise their and prevailing class system in the society to policies regarding women’s sports, because promote women in sports. some individual sports need immediate action for their stability. Women in sports ac- Conclusion tivities are marginal in Pakistan, which is al- Pakistani sports women have much ready elaborated above in detail, i.e. due to potential than other sports women in the variety of factors they get fewer chances the world. They are iconic in the wom- for participating fully and independently en’s sports world. Unfortunately, they in sports. A strong sports system supports face many social and cultural problems positively and holds women equitably, is to show their talent in the world. Results essential for empowerment of Pakistani reflecting that society have to be changes women in sports. As a developing coun- to decline the pathetic social structure of try and global economic environment, it is Pakistani society, which decline the posi- informed by women respondents, “We are tion of women in the society by all means ready for the highly competitive workplace including sports because sports activities and can change family life through sports.” boost up the women physically, mentally To evaluate the status of sports women in and psychology. The role of women in pol- the society, this study aims to explore the icy making as well as in decision making concept of women and sport by comparing process is not seen anywhere so the future the social barriers and the status of women of sports women in Pakistan seems very in the society. insecure. Sport is a healthy activity which In fact, it is the responsibility of the provides grounds for ideological thinking sports federation, federal and provincial and for developing better gender relations. governments to give incentives and ben- Research findings clearly describe that it is efits to women/girls for participation in very important to aware the society about national and international sport events. the health benefits of the sport activities These institutions are also responsible and its importance in developing healthy for providing experienced female coach- society and leading a healthy life. More re- es, complete medical facility, and positive searches have to be done in future in this competitive environment and job opportu- regard which bring insight about the sport nities to sportswomen in a way to secure activity and aware the society about the their futures. Whereas, it is observed, there significance of sports in building a positive is a scarcity of playgrounds and clubs spe- and healthy environment.

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