Barreiras e meta-estereótipos na ascensão das mulheres a cargos de liderança em contexto desportivo

Abstract

Despite advances in gender equality, the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in sport remains a persistent reality, reflecting structural, cultural, and interpersonal inequalities. In this context, it is important to explore the experiences and perceptions of women who hold leadership roles in sport. This qualitative study aims to understand the barriers and meta-stereotypes perceived by female coaches across different sports disciplines and to analyze whether these perceptions vary according to gender representation within each sport. Through semi-structured interviews with 20 coaches from various disciplines, three main categories of obstacles were identified: (1) the (meta)stereotypes surrounding the role of the female coach, including perceptions of competence, emotional expressiveness, and gender roles; (2) the impact of these stereotypes, evident in internalization and behavioral changes; and (3) working conditions, particularly precarious contractual arrangements. The analysis revealed that although these barriers are present across all sports, their type and manifestation vary depending on the gender dominance in the sporting context. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote gender inclusion and equity in sports leadership positions.

Date of Award	11 Jul 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Catarina Morais (Supervisor)