Women in Sports: A Saga of Roadblocks, Endurance and Empowerment

The age-old and culturally rooted stereotypical notion about a woman being weak and a mere shadow of a man has been an impediment to realize her potential and worth. She has been chained by prejudice and repeatedly reminded that her actual place is in the home. The politics of keeping the ‘other’ in control has often played a crucial role in controlling her life and putting her in a subordinate role by curbing her power to take decisions. In such a context, sports can prove to be a very important means for self-actualization, for breaking the shackles of gender stereotypes, for defying age-old traditions and giving her wings to realize her dreams. In the words of Lakshmi Puri, the Assistant Secretary-General for Intergovernmental Support and Strategic Partnerships at the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, “Sport has huge potential to empower women and girls.”¹