Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024)
IntroductionWomen's participation in the Paralympic Games has increased over recent decades, yet significant challenges persist. This study examines the trajectory of female athletes in the Summer Paralympic Games from 1988 to 2024, focusing on numerical growth and regional distribution.Methods...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1593956/full |
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| author | Luiz Gustavo Santos Beatriz Lucena Ramos Vânia Tie Koga Ferreira Ruth Eugênia Cidade Ciro Winckler |
| author_facet | Luiz Gustavo Santos Beatriz Lucena Ramos Vânia Tie Koga Ferreira Ruth Eugênia Cidade Ciro Winckler |
| author_sort | Luiz Gustavo Santos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionWomen's participation in the Paralympic Games has increased over recent decades, yet significant challenges persist. This study examines the trajectory of female athletes in the Summer Paralympic Games from 1988 to 2024, focusing on numerical growth and regional distribution.MethodsEmploying a descriptive and comparative approach, data from the International Paralympic Committee were analyzed to assess participation by gender and continent across different editions of the Games.ResultsThe results show a substantial increase in female representation, rising from 22.06% in 1988 to 44.48% in 2024. However, this progress has not been uniform.DiscussionWhile Asia has experienced significant growth, Europe and the Americas saw a proportional decline in female participation. Africa, despite some progress, continues to have limited numbers. Additionally, the number of National Paralympic Committees without female athletes has increased, highlighting structural and sociocultural inequalities. The findings suggest that, although initiatives such as adopting the Brighton Declaration and expanding women's events have driven progress, barriers remain. The study concludes that region-specific policies are essential for advancing gender equity in Parasport, ensuring greater access and opportunities for women with disabilities in high-performance competition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7d89d6773cd448d79482f3220630dbf1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-7d89d6773cd448d79482f3220630dbf12025-08-20T03:32:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-06-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15939561593956Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024)Luiz Gustavo Santos0Beatriz Lucena Ramos1Vânia Tie Koga Ferreira2Ruth Eugênia Cidade3Ciro Winckler4Sports Development Department, Brazilian Paralympic Committee, São Paulo, BrazilParasport Study Center, São Paulo Federal University, Santos, BrazilParasport Secretary, Brazil Sport Ministry, Brasília, BrazilPhysical Education Department, Paraná Federal University, Curitiba, Paraná, BrazilParasport Study Center, São Paulo Federal University, Santos, BrazilIntroductionWomen's participation in the Paralympic Games has increased over recent decades, yet significant challenges persist. This study examines the trajectory of female athletes in the Summer Paralympic Games from 1988 to 2024, focusing on numerical growth and regional distribution.MethodsEmploying a descriptive and comparative approach, data from the International Paralympic Committee were analyzed to assess participation by gender and continent across different editions of the Games.ResultsThe results show a substantial increase in female representation, rising from 22.06% in 1988 to 44.48% in 2024. However, this progress has not been uniform.DiscussionWhile Asia has experienced significant growth, Europe and the Americas saw a proportional decline in female participation. Africa, despite some progress, continues to have limited numbers. Additionally, the number of National Paralympic Committees without female athletes has increased, highlighting structural and sociocultural inequalities. The findings suggest that, although initiatives such as adopting the Brighton Declaration and expanding women's events have driven progress, barriers remain. The study concludes that region-specific policies are essential for advancing gender equity in Parasport, ensuring greater access and opportunities for women with disabilities in high-performance competition.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1593956/fullwomenparalympicinclusiondisabilitysport disabilityParasport |
| spellingShingle | Luiz Gustavo Santos Beatriz Lucena Ramos Vânia Tie Koga Ferreira Ruth Eugênia Cidade Ciro Winckler Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024) Frontiers in Sports and Active Living women paralympic inclusion disability sport disability Parasport |
| title | Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024) |
| title_full | Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024) |
| title_fullStr | Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024) |
| title_short | Towards equity? The trajectory of women’s participation in the summer paralympic games (1988–2024) |
| title_sort | towards equity the trajectory of women s participation in the summer paralympic games 1988 2024 |
| topic | women paralympic inclusion disability sport disability Parasport |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1593956/full |
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