Challenge of Women Athletes in Selected First Division Athletics Clubs of Addis Ababa Demeku Akalu A Thesis Submitted to The Department of Sport Science Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of Master of Science in Sport Science Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Jun, 2018 Addis Ababa University School of Graduate Studies This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Demeku Akalu, entitled: Challenge of women athletes in selected first division athletics clubs of Addis Ababa and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Degree of Master of Science in Sport Science complies with the regulations of the university and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality and quality. Signed by Examining Committee: Examiner (Internal) _______________ Signature _______________ Date _____________ Examiner (External) _______________ Signature _______________ Date ______________ Advisor _____________ Signature _______________ Date ______________ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my special thanks to almighty God and sincere appreciation to Dr. Bezabih Wolde and Dr. Benoit Gaudin for their constructive suggestions, critical comments and scholarly advice that have shaped this thesis immeasurably. Without whom proper guidance, the study would never have seen in the light of today. Special thanks should also go to my friend Addisu Firdu for their various types of contributions in editing and moral support for the success of this thesis. My heartfelt thanks go to Addis Ababa university post graduate program office for their financial support in order to make this thesis successful. Eventually, I would like to thank my family and friends for their valuable encouragements and support during my study. Finally I would like to thank to all staff member of Addis Ababa University sport science department for their engorgement and moral support. Table of Contents Table of Contents…………… ................................................................................................. i List of Table………………. .................................................................................................. iv ABBREVIATIONS……….. ................................................................................................... v ABSTRACT………………… ................................................................................................ vi CHAPTER ONE………….. ................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION…………. .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background of the study ................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Research Question…… .................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Objective of the study .................................................................................................... 5 1.4.1 General objective .................................................................................................... 5 1.4.2 Specific objectives .................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Significance of the study ................................................................................................ 5 1.6 Scope of the study .................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Limitation of the study .................................................................................................... 6 1.8 Operational definition .................................................................................................... 6 1.9 Organization of the study ................................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER TWO…………. ................................................................................................... 8 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................................................ 8 2.1. Women in sport…….. .................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Women in athletics…. .................................................................................................... 8 2.3. Female Athletic Stereotypes: Past and Present ............................................................. 14 2.4. Athlete‟s perspective of coach-athlete compatibility .................................................... 16 2.10. The benefits of women‟s participation for sport and society ...................................... 17 2.11. Inequalities and discrimination: constraining women in sport .................................... 18 2.12. Understanding and Overcoming Challenges of Women‟s Sports ............................... 19 2.12.1 Appropriate Sport Apparel..................................................................................... 19 2.12.2 Fields and Facilities ............................................................................................... 20 2.12.3 Economic Constraint ............................................................................................. 20 2.12.4 Scheduling…….. .................................................................................................. 20 2.12.5 Personal Safety .................................................................................................. 21 2.12.6 Female Role Models .............................................................................................. 21 i 2.12.7 Gaining Government Support ................................................................................ 22 2.12.8 Media Coverage .................................................................................................. 22 2.12.9 Religion .................................................................................................. 23 2.12.10 Prejudices and Misconceptions ............................................................................ 23 2.12.11 Body Image .................................................................................................. 24 2.13. Sexual abuse .................................................................................................. 24 2.14. Sociological Factors .................................................................................................. 25 2.14.1 Socialization .................................................................................................. 25 2.14.2 Sociological Factor Influencing In Sport ............................................................... 26 2.15. Social Environment.................................................................................................. 27 2.15. 1 Physical Environment ........................................................................................... 27 2.16. Sport as a Masculine Domain ...................................................................................... 27 2.17. The Intersections of Race, Class and Gender in Sport ................................................ 31 CHAPTER THREE……… ................................................................................................. 33 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY .............................................................. 33 3.1. Research Design .................................................................................................. 33 3.2. Source of Data .................................................................................................. 33 3.3. Sample size and Sampling Technique ........................................................................... 34 3.4. Procedure of Data Collection ........................................................................................ 34 3.5. Data Collection Instruments .......................................................................................... 35 3.5.1. Questionnaire .................................................................................................. 35 3.5.2. Semi-Structured Interviews .................................................................................... 35 3.6. Method of data Analysis ................................................................................................ 36 3.7. Validity and Reliability of the Instruments................................................................ 37 3.7. 3. Reliability of the study ........................................................................................... 37 3.8. Ethical considerations ................................................................................................ 38 CHAPTER FOUR………… ................................................................................................. 39 DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION ...................................................................... 39 4.1. Introduction…………. .................................................................................................. 39 4.2. Response Rate………. .................................................................................................. 39 4.2. Demographics characteristics of respondents ..............................................................