South Africans celebrated Human Rights Day on 21 March 2023. Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the need to protect and promote human rights, including the right to equality and freedom from discrimination. It is, therefore, important to recognise the strides made towards gender equity and equality in all spheres of life, including sports.
At Stellenbosch University, women in sport are making significant strides and contributions and continue to break barriers. The University has always been committed to promoting equality and inclusivity in all its activities, including sport. Maties Sport, the University’s sports department, has been leading the charge in creating an environment where female athletes, coaches and support staff can excel and reach their full potential.
Stellenbosch University’s Chief Director: Maties Sport, Ilhaam Groenewald, said, “At Maties Sport, we believe in creating an inclusive environment where all athletes, coaches and support staff, regardless of gender, can flourish. We are proud of the achievements, in particular of our female athletes and the barriers they continue to break.”
Maties Sport has been implementing programmes to ensure that female athletes have access to the same training and development opportunities as their male counterparts. The department has also been working on breaking down societal barriers and stereotypes that discourage girls from participating in sports.
The University has also been investing in world-class facilities and resources that cater to the specific needs of female athletes. A number of sport facilities such as the Coetzenburg athletics, Lentelus football and Danie Craven stadiums, have recently been upgraded to include change rooms and amenities that cater to women.
Maties Sport has also been providing support and mentorship to female athletes to ensure that they are able to balance their academic and sporting commitments successfully. This has resulted in numerous female athletes representing the University at national and international levels, across various sports codes.
“We want to encourage more young girls to take up sport and to show them that they too can achieve greatness,” Groenewald added. “We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all our athletes, so that they can continue to reach their full potential.”
The University’s commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusivity in sport is a testament to its commitment to human rights. As we celebrate Human Rights Day, we must recognise the importance of creating spaces where women and girls can flourish and achieve their dreams, including in the world of sport.
