On 8 March 2025, Women around the world came together to celebrate International Women's Day under the theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
This year's theme called for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.
This can include the opportunity to access physical activity and sport, through participation, volunteering and employment.
The Official International Women’s Day website reports that:
‘At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum…
Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres'.
Sport has the power to transform lives and inspire change, but many women and girls around the world still face obstacles which prevent them from participating in sport.
For International Women’s Day 2025, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) highlighted the elite and grassroots level programmes of the Olympic Movement and its partners, aiming to provide every woman and girl with the opportunity to engage in and benefit from sport, striving to ensure #SportForAllWomenAndGirls.
The Reality: Women Face Significant Barriers in Gyms & Fitness Spaces
While the benefits of physical activity are well-documented, a growing body of research confirms that women experience challenges in gym settings that discourage their participation.
A recent study conducted by Emma S. Cowley, PhD (Technological University of the Shannon) and Kat Schneider, PhD (University of the West of England) found that women frequently experience body image concerns, harassment, and intimidation in gym spaces.
This phenomenon, commonly referred to as “gymtimidation”, has been widely discussed across media platforms, including:
Women and Girls Like Us - A Year in Sport - Active Essex
Taking place throughout the rest of the year, this campaign by Active Essex aims to inspire women and girls to try new activities and find their active.
It is inspired by a calendar of exciting sporting events taking place this year across the county, such as Essex Women’s Cricket turning professional.
The campaign also aims to use worldwide competitions like the Women’s Euros and the Rugby World Cup to showcase the sporting opportunities on offer in Essex.
Throughout the campaign, the goal is to utilise statistics to provide context as to why this campaign is so important, and to help drive awareness of women and girls in sport.
The key principles are:
Breaking down barriers
Inspiring participation
Creating a supportive community
Changing perceptions
Theres a Monthly Focus Card which highlights the key aims for every month from mental health to inclusivity and water sports and you can also download a WGLU branding pack with information about the campaign as well as some logos and information to use on social media to advertise any activities that you might be a part of or trying to get support with.
Check back to the Women and Girls Like Us Page for more information and upcoming events as we move through the year.
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