New data from a survey conducted by Women in Football has exposed the alarming prevalence of discrimination against women working in the football industry in England. The survey revealed that a staggering 82% of its members reported experiencing some form of discrimination, including sexism, sexual harassment, and derogatory comments on their abilities based on gender. This figure represents a significant increase from 66% reported in 2020. Shockingly, only 23% of those who experienced discrimination felt they could report it to their employers.
The research also highlighted a rise in sexual harassment cases, with 93% of respondents stating that they faced career obstacles due to their gender. Yvonne Harrison, CEO of Women in Football, stressed that sexism in the workplace can have devastating consequences on careers and lives. She called for football to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward perpetrators.
Although there has been progress in reporting discrimination, many women still fear coming forward. Harrison believes that increasing dialogue around gender in workplaces will empower women to reject such mistreatment. Encouragingly, the survey revealed that 67% of women feel that the football industry now offers opportunities for excellence, compared to only 45% in 2020.
Another positive finding was the optimism among respondents regarding women’s future prospects in football, with 89% expressing hope for improvement.
Women in Football emphasized that greater transparency in employment data is essential for advancing women’s careers in the industry. They call upon the football industry to provide more comprehensive and joined-up data to assess the diversity landscape accurately and drive meaningful change. This call for transparency echoes the demands made by racial equality campaigners within football as well. Without clear data on diversity, tracking progress and establishing a starting point becomes challenging.
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