In Switzerland, girls and young women are not actively compared with boys on a physical or sporting level. 

Statistics concerning participation in organised sports lead us to assume that girls have poorer access to organised sports than their male peers. This is particularly the case for those with a migrant background. The difference may be due to the personal situations of girls and young women as well as to the sports structures in place. Girls and young women are often unaware of the opportunities on offer, or they may have insufficient financial resources or time available. Suitable sports opportunities may also be lacking.

FOSPO was involved in a two-year project in cooperation with the Laureus Foundation Switzerland on the theme of encouraging girls and young women to participate in sport.

A report on its findings has been produced, which describes the current behaviour of girls and young women as regards sport and exercise, and their structural access to sports opportunities in Switzerland. It focuses on organised sport, since this offers a valuable way to boost (life-long) participation in and involvement with sports and physical activity. Alongside analysis of the current situation, the report also discusses existing projects aimed at encouraging girls to take part in organised sport.

The answers to the following questions are of particular interest:

• How do girls and young women take exercise compared with boys?
• What could lie behind their different approach to sports and physical activity, and what factors influence this?
• What are the motives and requirements of girls and young women as regards participation in sport?
• Does the sports setting influence their participation in physical activity and sport?
• How do girls and young women participate in Y+S, both as participants and as leaders?
• What examples of "good practice” in encouraging girls and young women to play sport already exist in Switzerland and other countries?
• What currently needs to be done to encourage girls and young women to play sport?

Based on the report’s findings, recommendations for action were subsequently drawn up for the attention of the Laureus Foundation. These show the areas and ways in which girls can be actively supported and encouraged, and list the projects and programmes that already exist in Switzerland to encourage girls and young women.