The Need:

Whether we realize it or not, each of us looks at the world differently, through lenses that shape our perceptions, attitudes, and actions. Our lenses may include biases that impact how we move through the world, make decisions and build systems. Women and girls are underrepresented in sport partly because of a sport system that has been created without consideration for their needs.

The Solution:

The Gender Equity LENS framework is a four-step process developed to help sport leaders make more equitable decisions by taking stock of relevant issues and barriers, challenging assumptions, prioritizing ideas, and making an action plan for equity. This e-learning module is for everyone who has a role to play in making sport more inclusive for girls and women.

Through the Gender Equity LENS, sport leaders will:

• build an understanding of key equity and inclusion concepts, including gender, intersectionality, and unconscious bias;
• learn how embracing gender equity can make sport better for everyone;
• learn how to apply our LENS framework to ask the right questions and challenge assumptions that keep equity out of reach; and,
• learn how to create sport environments that support women and girls to participate and lead in sport over the long term.

The Impact:

The Gender Equity LENS e-learning module gives sport leaders the information and tools they need to act on their commitment to inclusion and make policy and program decisions that better serve women and girls in sport. In a recent survey, 98% of participants felt that the information and skills they learned through the Gender Equity LENS were valuable to their work.

Participants also reported feeling empowered to:

• Use the LENS tools to frame organizational change;
• Apply the Gender Equity LENS approach to governance structures;
• Seek different perspectives in decision making;
• Plan for diversity in materials and develop a review process with a diverse panel; and,
• Review employee handbooks and job postings through a gender lens.

“Taking steps to address gender equity doesn’t have to be overwhelming – it’s about identifying areas where you can make changes, setting your focus, and developing and implementing a plan – continuous improvement and learning!”

Program Participant

Contact us to learn how you can purchase a set of access codes for your organization.

Participants will receive two NCCP professional development points upon completion of the Gender Equity LENS e-learning module (for people registered with The Locker through the Coaching Association of Canada).

Have you taken the Gender Equity LENS training?  See our guidance on how to maximize the impact of online diversity and inclusion training!

This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

The post Gender Equity LENS appeared first on Canadian Women & Sport.

Studies have repeatedly shown that during adolescence, girls drop out of sport at a significantly higher rate than boys. According to the Rally Report, 1 in 3 girls drop out of sport during adolescence compared to just 1 in 10 boys.

The Solution :

In this e-learning module, coaches and activity leaders will build their understanding of how to:

• address common motivators and barriers for girls in sport;
• navigate the ways girls and boys experience sport environments differently throughout their development stages;
• foster positive sport environments for girls; and,
• ultimately keep girls engaged in sport.

The Impact :

Described by participants as thought-provoking and insightful, this module will help sport leaders create safe, fun and respectful environments that will lead to girls staying in sport and physical activity.’

“Keeping Girls in Sport is a valuable resource for all coaches and teaches them how to create safe and respectful environments, which will ultimately help girls become strong leaders themselves.”

Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO, Coaching Association of Canada

“Can I recommend this program for anyone coaching girls? I did it about two years ago and it was informative and really has had an effect on my coaching style.”

Eric Bernard

Keeping Girls in Sport was developed by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities in partnership with Canadian Women & Sport and the Coaching Association of Canada.

The post Keeping Girls in Sport appeared first on Canadian Women & Sport.