Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Deferred
Paragraph: 36
Launch "This Girl Can" campaign for parents and update School Sport Action Plan targets.
Recommendation
We recommend Sport England launch a new strand of the “This Girl Can” campaign aimed at parents, tackling early years gender stereotypes around physical activity and sport. This should include a specific focus on the positive role fathers can play in encouraging girls in sport and exercise. Sport England should also work with the Health barriers for girls and women in sport 39 Department for Education to roll out the “Studio You” platform across all secondary schools, with the aim of reaching all girls meeting the Government’s definition of inactive in Key Stages 3 and 4. The DfE should further update its School Sport and Physical Activity Action Plan to include measurable targets for closing the “enjoyment gap” in PE between boys and girls.
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation but states decisions on Sport England's priorities are independent. While it will focus the next phase of 'This Girl Can' on women aged 50 and over, this differs from the recommended focus on parents and early years, and it does not commit to rolling out 'Studio You' or updating the DfE action plan.
Paragraph Reference:
36
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government and Sport England accept this recommendation. Sport England is the arm’s length body of Government with responsibility for growing and developing grassroots sport and getting more people active across England. Decisions on the organisation’s priorities and investment are for Sport England to make independently. This Girl Can’s imagery and messaging has always included women from a range of life stages. Data from Sport England’s insight tracker shows that the This Girl Can campaign has positively impacted women aged between 41 and 60. Since 2020, of the women aged between 41 and 60 who were aware of the campaign: • Up to 17% reported doing more activity because of This Girl Can. This translates to 6% of all women. 10 Health barriers for girls and women in sport: Government and Sport England responses • Up to 81% reported that the campaign helped women to feel more confident being active. • Up to 77% say the campaign helped women to overcome the fear of being judged when being active. • Up to 36% say they want to be more active because of the campaign. In addition to this, the next phase of the This Girl Can campaign will include a specific focus on women aged 50 and over.