Patriarchy in German Sports: A Persistent Problem

German sports face a persistent problem: patriarchy. Discover how outdated attitudes and biases are hindering equality and progress in the industry.

Germany is witnessing a disturbing surge in violence against women, with a staggering statistic revealing that a woman is killed by her partner or former partner nearly every two days. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for collective action to address this critical issue.

UN Women Germany is part of a global network of 13 national committees, each operating as an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. These committees share a common mission: to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. In pursuit of this goal, UN Women Germany has launched a powerful campaign titled “Orange The World.”

The “Orange The World” campaign runs from November 25, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, which commemorates International Human Rights Day. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the pervasive issue of violence against women, both in Germany and globally, and to mobilize support for efforts to prevent and respond to such violence.

Elke Ferner, chair of UN Women Germany, politician, and long-standing campaigner for women's rights, emphasized the significance of the 16-day activism campaign. “In these 16 days of activism, we can deliver a lot of information. Survivors of gender-based violence can find out where to get support and be reminded that they are not at fault,” Ferner told DW. She added that the campaign sparks crucial discussions, stating, “The debate helps and it's a chance to change consciousness about the topic.”

Germany's national women's football team has joined forces with the “Orange the World” campaign, creating a poignant video that sheds light on the harsh realities of violence against women and girls. In the video, players reveal the truth of statements by crossing out words. Bayern Munich's Giulia Gwinn underscored the importance of the campaign, saying, “The figures on violence against women and girls are shocking every year. That's why it's important to us to send out a clear signal together as the women's national team this year and support the 'Orange the World' campaign.”

Ferner believes that collaborating with role models, such as the national women's football team, is pivotal in amplifying the campaign's message. She noted that the campaign is particularly powerful in the context of football. A 2022 study from Warwick Business School in the UK revealed a disturbing correlation between football and domestic abuse, with instances rising by nearly 50% after England's men's football team wins a World Cup game. Currently, there is no available data on domestic abuse during Germany games.

Elke Ferner is heartened to see the sports community recognizing the significance of addressing violence against women. The German Olympic Committee (DOSB) and various sports clubs and organizations are contributing to the conversation, helping to drive progress. Ferner acknowledges that the sports environment, particularly in high-performance settings, can be prone to problematic dependency relationships, making it essential to address these issues.

However, Ferner emphasizes that violence against women is a pervasive societal issue that transcends boundaries of class, origin, religion, or social context, including sports. “Violence against women has structural origins and to change that you need to change the structures,” she stressed. Ferner believes that the necessary knowledge and understanding are already present, but what is lacking is concrete action. “You just need to do it,” she urged. “I always say, this isn't about a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of action.”

Elke Ferner, chair of UN Women Germany, emphasizes the need to redefine the concept of performance in sports and beyond. “What is performance? Higher, faster, further? Or is it managing to look after a family of three?” Ferner asks, highlighting the importance of adopting a more nuanced understanding of performance. This shift in perspective could help move away from a solely performance-driven culture.

Ferner also stresses the need to reassess societal values and the way they impact various professions. “Why do people who repair washing machines earn more than those looking after your kids in nursery?” she inquires, pointing out the disparities in compensation for different types of work. According to Ferner, this issue is not only about changing business culture but also about raising awareness about the roles men play at home and in the family.

Ferner underscores the urgency of addressing the deep-seated issues perpetuating violence against women and girls. “The picture boys and young men get of girls and women in school is a problem that needs addressing. We can't wait for generational change,” she asserts. Ferner firmly believes that immediate action is necessary to challenge and change societal structures. As she puts it, “This is about saving lives. We need to change societal structures.”

The presence of male power structures is a significant issue that perpetuates violence against women and girls, and sports structures are equally in need of reform. In Germany, the non-profit organization Safe Sport provides independent support for individuals affected by sexual, physical, and psychological violence in both amateur and professional sports.

Safe Sport is the only organization in Germany with a specific focus on addressing violence in grassroots sports, and one of only two organizations addressing this issue in professional sports. According to Ina Lambert, manager of Safe Sport, the organization faces challenges in creating safer spaces for women due to the prevailing male-dominated structures in sports. “Gender roles have become more fluid in the last few years, but in associations and clubs, management positions are still occupied by men, regardless of the sport,” Lambert told DW.

Lambert also highlighted the scarcity of women in professional sports, particularly in training roles. “In professional sport, there are a lot fewer women involved in training, and so the space remains male-dominated, and, as a result, so do the power structures,” she explained. Despite these challenges, Safe Sport offers support to individuals seeking to drive change. “We have people in search of advice, men included, who see the problems and want to enforce change, and we offer them support so they are not alone,” Lambert said.

However, Lambert noted that perpetrators of violence are often protected, and incidents are frequently ignored, hindering efforts to create change. “But whether in a big association or a small club, perpetrators are frequently protected, incidents are ignored, and so the people who want to enforce change are often prevented from doing so,” she stated.

SafeSport, a organization providing free psychological and legal support, has been operational since July 2023. Despite its relatively short existence, the organization has witnessed a steady increase in support requests. According to Ina Lambert, manager of SafeSport, the most common cases they encounter involve psychological violence in sports, while sexual violence is also a significant concern.

Lambert revealed that approximately 60% of the cases handled by SafeSport fall under the category of sexual violence. Despite the gravity of these issues, Lambert expressed optimism about the growing recognition of the problems and the willingness to address them. “There is finally recognition of the problem and there is a seriousness about tackling it,” she said.

Lambert also acknowledged the progress being made in addressing violence in sports. “There is a lot of good work being done in the right direction, with many good concepts for prevention, intervention, and processing violence, as well as more education, holistic training, and focus on women's menstrual cycles,” she stated. This multifaceted approach is crucial in creating a safer and more supportive environment for athletes.

In a show of solidarity, ball children at a recent event in Ulm, Germany, wore orange caps to raise awareness about violence against women. This symbolic gesture was part of a broader day of action aimed at combating this pervasive issue.

Germany is taking steps to provide comprehensive support for victims of violence. The Federal Ministry of the Interior is spearheading an initiative to create a central hub by 2026, which will bring together representatives from the federal states, organized sports, affected parties, and academia. Ina Lambert, manager of SafeSport, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this initiative. SafeSport is actively involved in the process, and Lambert hopes that the support they offer will soon be complemented by comprehensive structures that facilitate case investigation and potential sanctioning.

The support of influential figures can be a game-changer in addressing violence against women. However, as UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous aptly puts it, “No country has yet eliminated violence against women. Ending it requires transformative action - greater investment, innovation, and unwavering political will.” To achieve this transformative action, it's essential to tackle the underlying issues, such as social norms and gender stereotyping, which perpetuate violence against women.

To effectively address these issues, more data is needed to understand the scope and complexity of the problem. This data can inform policies and programs aimed at preventing violence against women and supporting survivors. Additionally, addressing social norms and gender stereotyping requires a multifaceted approach that involves education, community engagement, and policy change.

Some key strategies for addressing these underlying issues include:

Challenging social norms: Encouraging community-led initiatives that challenge harmful social norms and promote respectful relationships.

Promoting gender equality: Supporting policies and programs that promote gender equality, including equal access to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare.

Engaging men and boys: Involving men and boys in efforts to prevent violence against women, including through education and community programs.

Supporting survivors: Providing comprehensive support services for survivors of violence, including counseling, legal assistance, and economic support.

By addressing these underlying issues and supporting survivors, we can work towards a future where violence against women is eliminated. As Sima Bahous emphasizes, this requires transformative action and unwavering commitment from individuals, organizations, and governments around the world.