GAP Women stands for Guarantee Access to Physical Activity for Women

GAP Women stands for Grow and Activate Participation in Women Sport

GAP Women stands for Gender Actions to increase Women’s Participation in Sports

Across Europe half of women have dropped out of sport by age 20.

Across Europe, 65% of women aged 20 are active enough to meet the WHO’s physical activity (PA) recommendations

Across Europe half of women are actively involved in sport by age 20

Across the world, the main barrier to women’s participation in sport is the lack of financial resources.

Across Europe, the main barrier to women’s participation in sport is lack of motivation.

Barriers for women participating in sport and PA are multifaceted and range from practical (time, childcare, access to facilities) personal- psychosocial (body/image and confidence; habit, level of interest) financial (costs of membership, equipment, classes) and institutional (institutionalised stereotypes, lack of mentors and role models, lack of females in leadership roles). 

The N°1 reason your organisation should invest in gender diversity is it’s the most cost-effective and socially relevant way of tackling some of the most pressing challenges faced by the sport sector – including the inactivity crisis, the trends towards more and more practice outside of organisational sport, and the volunteering crisis.

The N°1 reason your organisation should invest in gender diversity is the benefit it will get in terms of performance and fast-achieving success: every dollar invested in women's sport will have a faster return on investment.

The N°1 reason your organisation should invest in gender diversity is the benefit it will get in terms of organisational positive image – which in turn will provide competitive advantage when looking for new sponsors or grants.

The one road to increase women participation in sport is to meet them where they are with inspiring strategic communication to address their lack of motivation and share and raise awareness about the benefits of moving.

The N°1 strategy to increase women participation is to provide them with a good experience. This requires quality coaching by a person they can relate to.

Strategies to increase women participation in sport shall be adapted to your own context and capacity. A mix of approaches including open door strategies, representative communication, community engagement, accessible facilities as well as education and awareness are key to success.

When it comes to attracting more women to sport organisations, the most powerful driving mantra is “If not now, then when will you be active?”

When it comes to attracting more women to sport organisations, the most powerful driving mantra is “Let them see the benefits!”

When it comes to attracting more women to sport organisations, the most powerful driving mantra is “Change the offer to suit women - don’t expect women to change to fit sport and exercise!”