Abstract:
Nowadays women’s active involvement in sport is seen declining. Among others, (one of the
reasons for this is that it has been considered only men’s activity) It is in light of this fact that
the study was carried out to examine socio-cultural factors affecting women’s active
involvement in sports activities in Amir-nur woreda, Harari Regional state. The populations
of the study were all parents who have daughter/s aged above 15 years old in the study area.
The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative research approach and cross sectional
research design. The study employed purposive sampling techniques to select the FGD
participants, while random sampling technique was used to select the survey respondents. A
structured and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 334 parents
among the total sample size of 377 households and FGDs were conducted by using an
unstructured guide. Thus, the findings show that parents’ economic problem, parents’s lack
ofexperience in sport involvements, and inaccessibility of sport field, illiterate parent, and
parentss’ fearof sexual harassment and abuse, parent gender stereotypes and cultural beliefs
are potential factors determining the level and active involvement of women in sports. In view
of this, it was recommended that parents and the larger society should show supportfor
women participation in sport training and tournamentsand positive attitudes towards women
involvement in sports. Also,regional government at all levels should create enabling
environment, and mass media should organize enlightenment programs that will mitigate the
socio-cultural factors hindering women’s involvement in sports.
