Ottawa, ON – Gender equity is a critical component to the longevity of our sport. Softball Canada is confident that through our past, present, and future initiatives girls and women in softball will have an even brighter future. An exciting piece of this work is the recently launched Women of Softball Spotlight Series, which is a video series profiling several influential and powerful women within the game in Canada.
The first Women of Softball Spotlight Series video featuring the Team Canada Women’s Softball Team was released on February 16th and can be viewed on YouTube in English and with French subtitles.
“Softball Canada has been able to make considerable headway in the area of gender equity but there is still work to be done” stated Angela Ballantyne, Softball Canada’s Manager of Long Term Player Development Programs. “It is crucial that we capitalize on the advances being made and continue our forward momentum. Sport has proven to be one of the best ways to reduce gender inequality. The softball community within Canada is empowering females and supporting those who participate in any discipline of our game to not only overcome barriers but work together to eliminate them completely.”
New videos will be released through Softball Canada’s website and social media accounts every few weeks leading up to the start of the 2021 softball season.
Sport is one of the most powerful platforms for propelling women and girl’s empowerment. It can be used as a tool to teach women and girls the values of teamwork, resilience, and strength; has a multiplier effect on health, leadership development, self-esteem, social connections, and challenges gender norms. With funding opportunities from Sport Canada, Softball Canada has taken significant strides to advance gender equity within our softball community. Through this work, Softball Canada is committed to placing importance on gender equity for the foreseeable future.
Softball Canada has and is continuing to:
- Implement gender equity strategies.
- Create safeguarding policies.
- Increase the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women in leadership at all levels.
- Keep girls and young women in sport for longer.
- Provide marketing that is free from gender bias and promotes women’s achievements.
To learn more about gender equity and Softball Canada’s initiatives, follow along with us on social media and www.softball.ca/equity as we continue to bring awareness to women and girls in all facets of the game.
