International developments in policy and practice for equity: Girls and women in physical education, physical activity and sport

This chapter focuses on gender equity the words connect the micro dynamics of parenting with the macro international responsibilities and influence in policy and practice that can improve the lives of girls and women. Gender equity is a fundamental principle of justice, embedded in policy documentation of many countries and of international organizations such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the Olympic Movement. The Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) campaign mobilized women’s groups around the world to push for the United Nations to adopt a new UN entity for gender equality and women’s empowerment and this was achieved at the UN General Assembly when ‘UN Women’ was established. International consensus for gender equity as a fundamental human right, and its recognition in sport policy, is helping women and supportive men in many countries to break through challenging barriers of resistance. Safeguarding girls and women in sporting environments is crucial to ethical efforts to improve gender equity.