Although many of the clinical trials and epidemiological studies in health research have excluded women, the data available suggest that women derive many health benefits from an active lifestyle. 3 The health benefits of women’s participation in physical activity and sport are now well established. Participation in sport and physical activity can prevent a myriad of non communicable diseases which account for over 60 per cent of global deaths, 66 per cent of which occur in developing countries. 4 for girls, it can have a positive impact on childhood health, as well as reduce the risk of chronic diseases in later life. United Nations Women, gender equality and sport. December 2007.
Some couple of months back, I watched the finals of the CrossFit Games where both Mat Fraser and Tia-Clair Toomey emerged as the fittest man and woman on earth 2018 edition. What got my attention and admiration the most was how women were allowed to partake in all the variety of quality weightlifting’s, gymnastic maneuvers, aerobics, obstacles and other added surprise elements of the festival. I began to marvel at the marked absence of discrimination against women in sports as found in other parts of the world especially Europe and America; while on the other hand wonder at the bias female participants face in Africa.
The active participation of women in the CrossFit games inspired me to take a casual look at the discrimination against female traditional wrestlers in Africa. Female participation in sports has a long history; however, the participation is not without its ups and downs. There is a marked discrimination and division in African societies that makes it nearly impossible for women to excel in other spheres of life besides sports.
Traditional wrestling and other forms of wrestling in general has always existed for a long time, this is so in many African countries and in other parts of the World. To some, it serves as preparation for war purposes, cultural festivals, ceremonies, recreational, and for economic purposes. Any form of wrestling or sports in general allows for the physical and intellectual development of its athletes irrespective of gender, weight or height. Sports as a whole are a unifying factor among people. Traditional wrestling is in itself an element of friendship that breaks boundaries and builds bridges across nations and races. There is virtually no hamlet, village, or city that one form of wrestling or the other is not practiced all over Africa. The sport has remained healthy and natural save for one or two added rules and regulations in other to make it conform to the changing world (however, not for the womenfolk’s).
The different kinds of wrestling are the traditional or folklore wrestling, free style wrestling, the Greco-Roman wrestling and the female wrestling. For the most part, all the varieties of wrestling are practiced in several African countries with the exception of traditional women wrestling which do not have a noticeable number of female fighters nor does it enjoy neither significant form of encouragement from the relevant quarters, or a sense of belonging in its truer sense.
There are numerous reasons believed to be the reason why women face discrimination in African traditional wrestling. This may include but not limited to the following.
- Women are too delicate for the physical rigors of wrestling.
- Societal challenges to the stereotypical woman as home-bound care givers.
- Lack of freedom for education.
- Gender parity in sports.
- Patriarchy (it is a man’s world).
- Socialization into domestic roles at tender ages.
- Conservative Religious considerations.
- Women should not witness the elaborate mystical rite that surrounds wrestling.
- Conservation of cultural heritages.
- Lack of sponsorship openings.
- The near absence of reward systems.
- Official and on-official Sexual exploitation.
In Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Gambia and other African states, there are cultural festivals such as King Oussouye, Jola, Casamance, Diembering, Bekweri and Leboku that are observed on annual bases. These festivals have female wrestling heavyweights and upstarts who troop in from various regions in other to participate. It is the only avenue where women are allowed to freely be themselves and participate without prejudices; this was made possible by the local chiefs who for want of entertainment decreed that women should be allowed to take part in wrestling during the festivals. Other regions allow women to participate in wrestling for reasons of ritual initiation into womanhood, courting purposes, physical attractiveness and ritual wrestling dance steps.
Nowadays, despite the standardization of wrestling in some African regions, female participation in official tournaments is still out of the question. If and when women appear in major tournaments or festivals, they are but promptly organized as a side attraction or some kind of exhibition match and nothing more.
The only positive fillip to female wrestling in Africa is in the Casamance region of Senegal, where king Oussouye acts as the financier for the annual festivals year in year out. His singular contribution and patronage has kept the tradition alive, serving as a breeding ground as well as a recruitment point for the Senegalese female wrestling association established in 1997, which come to scout for talents every year.
Save for isolated participation in tournaments organized locally, female wrestlers do not go beyond the seasonal festivals which have become somewhat monotonous. By just allowing women to partake in tournaments without tangible reward for their time and effort rubs the entire exercise of its spontaneity. As for the few fortunate female wrestlers who made it to the national team and international tournaments, it is a common knowledge that government officials convert their allowances and grants for personal use. They make the female wrestlers eat their conventional daily 3 square meals in some dirty restaurant while forcing 2 or more of them to share a bed in any decrepit hotel room abroad.
Regional bodies are to address gender equality issues in sport. For example, in 2005, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe passed recommendation 1701 on discrimination against women and girls in sport. The recommendation calls on the Committee of Ministers to promote women’s sport and women’s participation in sport; accord greater importance to school-based physical education for women and girls; conduct awareness raising among officials in sport, education and health; support women’s participation in top-level sport; ensure equality in terms of pay, prize money and bonuses; ensure that women play a greater role in ruling bodies of sports organizations; conduct an in-depth study of national sport policies; ensure collection of gender-specific statistics; and increase media coverage of women in sport.32 The recommendation also calls for the combating of sexual abuse in relation to sport, which follows on from the 2000 Council of Europe resolution on the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse of women, young people and children in sport (3/2000).33. United Nations Women, gender equality and sport. December 2007.
The situation faced by female wrestlers described above paints a grim picture about the future growth and development of the sport in Africa. Despite the declaration by the United Nations Women, Gender Equality in Sports of December 2007, the body languages of all the wrestling associations do not suggest that anything is going to be done about the discrimination and prejudices female wrestlers are mated with. Isabelle Sambou is one of the top female wrestlers in Senegal and Africa in general; she has participated in several championships for her motherland, winning numerous medals through the years. The sad story however, is that there is no visible sign in her livelihood and purse strings to equate her status as a female wrestling champion. She lives in a squalid surrounding; her place of abode is a ramshackle one bedroom apartment that is no different from a public dormitory for the poor. This is in complete contrast to her male counterparts who enjoy certain privileges not accorded her and live in affluence.
If females are given equal access and privileges as their male counterparts to participate in a rigorous sport as the CrossFit games festivals, and are paid in equal proportions as the men, then why will African women who partake in wrestling festivals are not paid handsomely too? If “what is good for the goose is also good for the gander”, then there is the need to upgrade the financial status and regard of female wrestlers as well. This move will surely improve their self esteem, boldness and confidence to challenge the bias and discrimination through female-male relationships.
It is high time the African continent lift existing barriers and jettison all the lame reasons as enumerated above to enable female wrestlers participate in the all important wrestling tournaments and festivals as well as in the stadiums with proper recompense. They should also be signed into the various wrestling clubs and be paid as regular club fighters during and after wrestling matches.
I think I will pause here and take a breather because there are so many item of discus regarding this sorry issue which cannot be exhausted in a single write up. I may or may not write a continuation. As for now, I have been able to tell a little of the situation bedeviling female wrestlers in the African continent.
Thank you for stopping by as usual. Yours sincerely @izge.
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