Македонски центар за меѓународна соработка - МЦМС

Author: Silvija Mitevska, Bojana Jovanovska, Elena Kochoska
Date: 2025
ISBN: 978-608-4848-60-8
PDF: GENDER_EQUALITY_AND_INCLUSION_IN_SPORTS_IN_MACEDONIA.pdf

This research analyzes the role and representation of women, including women with disabilities, in sports organizations in North Macedonia, focusing on the barriers that limit their participation and advancement in leadership positions.

The main focus of the research was on the involvement of women in leadership roles, with an emphasis on analyzing their representation and the structural and cultural barriers that hinder access to such positions. It also covered national policies and their alignment with international standards, as well as perceptions of women's participation in sports, in order to identify challenges and opportunities for promoting gender equality in sports.

Findings show that women are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, such as presidents and general secretaries, where they make up approximately 13% and 17% of the positions, respectively. In addition, gender imbalance is evident in the composition of general assemblies and executive bodies, where men dominate with 83% and 77% representation.

Although 77% of organizations declare that gender equality is part of their strategies, only 27% have integrated it into their statutes, and in most cases, it is only partially implemented or not implemented at all. Only 13% of organizations have established gender quotas, and policies addressing persons with disabilities are even less present and often remain at a declarative level.

Women, both with and without disabilities, face numerous barriers in accessing decision-making positions in sports. One of the most significant challenges is the perception of the sports sector as inaccessible and unsupportive for women, lacking a positive and inclusive sporting climate that would encourage them to apply for leadership positions. This stems from the dominant male culture and structures, which create a sense of exclusion and reduce women’s motivation to participate.

The recommendations developed based on the research are aimed at advancing gender equality and addressing disability issues in sports. General recommendations include research on gender gaps and disability in sports, public campaigns and training to raise awareness about equality and inclusion, and encouraging collaboration with civil society organizations and local communities to develop inclusive sports programs.

Policy recommendations call for the introduction of mandatory gender representation of at least 40% in decision-making positions as a condition for state funding, alignment of sports laws with international non-discrimination standards, support for women’s sports and sports activities for persons with disabilities through budget allocations, as well as systematic collection and publication of gender-disaggregated data to ensure transparency. This is crucial for providing insight into the situation, tracking progress, and, above all, encouraging accountability among policymakers and sports organizations.

Additionally, tax incentives are proposed for projects that promote inclusive equality, both in terms of gender and disability.

The research covered 30 national sports federations, the Olympic and Paralympic Committees, in order to identify existing barriers to the active inclusion of women in the sports sector. It used both quantitative and qualitative methods, including primary and secondary sources, to provide a comprehensive insight into gender dynamics within sports institutions.