Progress, Gaps and Experiences: sport reflects Women’s challenges in society

The European Parliament Liaison Office (EPLO) in Valletta, together with SHE – Social Hub Entrepreneurs, today held “Level the Playing Field: Women, Talent and Sport”, an event dedicated to advancing gender equality in sport. The panel discussion was one of several initiatives around Europe as the European Parliament marked European Gender Equality Week.

Participants were welcomed with a video message from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who underlined the shared responsibility to dismantle remaining barriers for women, not only in sport but wherever glass ceilings exist.

The pursuit of equitable means to ensure access to sport at all levels was a recurring theme. George Micallef, Director of Sport Development and Recruitment at the Mediterranean College of Sport, stressed the importance of addressing the specific needs of girls and boys, particularly towards a dual-career pathway. Statistics seem to suggest that girls in Malta persistently drop out of sport particularly in their mid-teens arguably as they transition to post-secondary and possibly focus on their academic and professional development.

Sports psychologist Jasmine Borg shared her experience - as is that of many others - of having to go through making such choices. This often creates anxiety and ultimately harms sporting performance. Addressing women’s health in sport could still be a taboo, she said, noting that athletes need holistic care, both physical and psychological.

Powerlifter and law student Laura Chetcuti Dimech described starting her sporting journey in football and later in an individual sport, where she emphasised the strength of the individual to fight the barriers encountered, whether gender-related or otherwise.

Women’s National Football Team Coach Manuela Tesse emphasised the need for coaching approaches that understand both the body and mindset of women athletes. She warned that women often feel they have to “fight all the time” to secure opportunities.

The panel also highlighted the lack of female representation in sports media as well as sports management. The discussion, moderated by Joanna Camilleri, sports journalist and former national judoka, reinforced the message that real progress requires collaboration: from policymakers and educators to families, clubs and media organisations. As Europe marks Gender Equality Week, the insights gathered today will be relayed to Members of the European Parliament to help guide future EU action in this field.

Introducing the event, Dr Mario Sammut, Head of the EP Office in Valletta, highlighted the role of the office in serving as a bridge between stakeholders in Malta and their representatives in the European Parliament, hence feeding into ongoing EU policymaking.

Sarah Woods, Director of SHE – Social Hub Entrepreneurs, described SHE as a growing community of women entrepreneurs, professionals and others from different walks of life committed to driving policy change and inspiring action. She underlined that despite progress, “gender gaps in sport remain visible and persistent.”
 
Background

This week, the European Parliament adopted a report calling for the EU to have an ambitious gender equality strategy based on practical legislative measures. During the same Plenary Session, Parliament initiated the legislative procedure to amend the EU Electoral Act to allow proxy voting rights for female MEPs before and after giving birth, thereby aligning voting rules with real-life health and caregiving challenges and ensuring that mothers can participate fully in political life.