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There exists barely any field today where women are not showing up and proving wonders. Today almost 50% of females are interested in sports globally. It has been studied that women who remain interested in sports earlier have more likely chances to continue it lifelong.  During ancient times, women were only confined to house chores, family, and children. But today a lot has changed. If we talk about sports then it was seen as something of men type. It was seen as a sport that is represented by masculinity. No doubt men posse’s strength, they are tough but so as women. Who says women cannot transform themselves? Who says that they cannot compete with the environment? Data has been shown in which it is claimed that an environment where men and women participate in equilibrium is a place that is proven significant for society and also for the country. Women’s participation in sports represents a healthy example for all the stereotypes out there that the world runs on the principle of dynamics. Thoughts and beliefs need to be changed as per the need of the hour.

The graph below shows the interest of women in sports activities over the years between 1900 to 2020

Source- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Female-Olympic-success-Female-participation-over-time_fig1_266141797

Insights from the Past

In the late ’90s, there were events where women were taking part and creating history from their extraordinary performances. The situation was not always the same but as the inception of the breaking of old orthodox beliefs took place, it created a very significant impact on society. Talking about the United States, Article IX has paved the way for women to participate deliberately. No boundaries will be drawn based on sex. Now women are seen breaking records, bringing home medals from prestigious sports events like the Olympics, Commonwealth, and many more. Gender equality has always been a problem for them. Many posts are biased and only consider men to take control. Likewise, most of the sports boards are managed by men. If the authority is sex-biased then how could we expect a change at the root level? We can compare it with a term called hegemonic masculinity which means only one sex will be administering the institution and the rest have to work or continue as per them. The same procedure is being followed

What benefits could women draw by playing sports?

Well, when sports signify a path for learning teamwork, up-leveling endurance, and facing competition to men then it does bring higher self-esteem, confidence, emotional stability, and what not to women. No doubt women also draw the same benefits as men do but her goals are beyond being tough. So here let’s get an insight into what significance it imparts to women.

Being sturdy is the right of every being.

• For ages, women were seen by the perceptive as being sensitive, and physically weaker than men, but is that really so or we have just framed layers upon her potential?
• It is now being framed as federal law that women have equal say and opportunity to participate in sports events. It is not only to establish equity but to establish psychological, physiological, and sociological fitness for her.
• No doubt men are unexpectedly strong and they do carry a lot of responsibilities but we have to switch our vision from black and white to more vibrant.

Bone strengthening

• Strength training is best when you talk about strengthening your bones. Here also many people will think very narrowly that strength training is only for men. 
• Time is changing and the world is now opening to every possibility that can take place. 
• While playing sports, training is most crucial and by doing so the strain on the bones imparts their strength.
• It is quite common that women to develop weaker bone density as they cross their 40s hence regular exercise along with strength training can help them to maintain proper weight along with good bone density.

Pavement to equality

• As sports today are no more inclined to a specific sex, it can signify equality between men and women.
• Now both sexes can feel that they have got equal opportunities and no one is left behind unlike before.

Healthy work culture

• An environment that is free from any biased preferences is considered a healthy one.
• By participating in sports women feel that they can now fit in any space.
• This single activity can boost their confidence and self-esteem and help them to perform more efficiently outside.

Teamwork

• Sports teach discipline, it teaches how to work as a team and win.
• Women within four walls of the room become unable to learn this very crucial soft skill.
• By moving outside and by playing sports, she can learn how to interact and build connections and use these connections to finish a task as a team.

Trying something new always keeps you growing.

• It is a proverb that “to get something, you need to leave something.”
• Likewise, the old beliefs needed to be left when one tries to learn something new. Sports teaches a lot of lessons that one can implement in their life to be happier.
• It teaches you how to come out of your comfort zone to harness your present potential.

Decision making

• Many studies have been done and it is found that when you play sports and stay active, then your cognitive powers strengthen.

• Women when one steps out and does some exercise then there are possibilities of more blood flow even taking place in one’s brain and hence then cognitive ability hones and one performs better.

• She can now expect herself to be more active psychologically.

Real-life examples

You need to believe that the “Sky is the Limit.” This has been proved by a; lot of sports personalities who inspire women across the globe, such as-

P.V Sindhu

• She is a famous badminton player and has been admired across the globe.

• She has participated in various sports events and won.

• She is the holder of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Padma Shri, and Arjun Award.

• She is a young and vibrant inspiration to all the women and girls out there.

Marry Kom

• She has won the boxing championship six times.

• She refused all the odds that came her way to being a champion.

• She as a mother, wife, and player has done tremendously great hard work and got her name in the list of legends.

Mithali Raj

• When the world is seeing cricket be only played by men then this woman has turned the table.

• She is a test and ODI captain of the Women’s National Cricket Team.

• She has also received the Arjun Award, Padma Shri from the government of India.

• She is a good example of when the world is defying your existence then you prove that you are way more than being worthy.

If we summarise this article, then we can say it’s all in your mind. You have got superpowers embedded deep within you. All you have to do is to believe and achieve. To all the women out there, say no to judgments, choose yourself, choose fitness, and choose to shine bright than ever!

Author

WRITTEN AND CONTRIBUTED BY: MISS. SHIVANI SATI (BSc. Agriculture. Hons)