Gender Equality in Sports: Here’s How UIII Students Think of It

UIII.AC.ID, DEPOK -  Beyond the confines of competition, gender equality in sports promotes an even playing field where individuals of all genders may pursue their interests and abilities in being sporty without fear of prejudice. While this topic gained international discussion, students of Universitas Islam International Indonesia (UIII) joined the discussion by expressing their views on this crucial topic.

Ditta Perwita Suci, an enthusiastic Master's student in Political Science, eloquently discusses the many effects of gender equality in sports. She prioritizes diversity, equal chances, and dismantling prejudices hindering women's involvement in sports.

“Support for gender equality can do with balancing the gym tools for women. For me, of course, [the] power between man and woman is different. So it will be very helpful if the women have their own gym tools which fit with them,” Ditta made her point.

While highlighting more appropriate facilities, Dita argued that it should extend beyond the equipment, saying that women also need specialized rooms where they could feel comfortable doing the sport. “It will be great if women have their own gym room, I mean a special room for women. Because some women may not be comfortable doing the gym while the men are around them,” she said.

Concurring with Dita’s statement, the pragmatic viewpoint of Safiullah Junejo, a Pakistani doctoral student in economics, calls for specialized facilities that cater to the specific requirements of women. His proposal of gender-specific areas is in line with fostering a welcoming atmosphere free of barriers so that women may thrive.

“UIII has [a] significant role in promoting gender equality in sports, however below suggestions can be considered for the better flow of understanding in diverse cultured people at UIII,” he explained.

The best way to do that, Safiullah argued, is by ensuring equal representation in each sports event, while taking into account educational initiatives like workshops and seminars to enhance awareness about gender equality issues in sports.

“Recognition and rewards [on] outstanding athletes irrespective of gender are [also] crucial for equality,” Safiullah concluded.

Meanwhile, Wiwin Windiana, a PhD student from the Faculty of Education, highlighted the pivotality for proactive actions, stressing the need for transparent policies, educational programs, and equitable representation to encourage diversity and inclusion in sports participation.

“UIII has excelled in promoting gender equality in sports, as evident in its celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day. UIII organized a sports competition where all types of sports were open to both women and men. Moreover, UIII recognized the distinct needs of men and women, separating competitions into male and female categories while also having events that combine both genders,” she said.

Wiwin highlighted that the approach UIII has taken acknowledges the differing strengths and needs of women and men. For instance, the badminton competition included categories for women's doubles, men's doubles, and mixed doubles.

The above student comments resonate with what Nelson Mandela said: “Sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite the people in a way that little else does”. UIII exemplifies this revolutionary force with its unwavering pursuit of gender equality in sports. In addition to valuing academic performance, the university's dedication, and the opinions of students such as Ditta, Safiullah, and Wiwin present an impression of an institution that supports a future in which sports really become a field of equal opportunity and limitless potential.

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