Module progress: 3/6 completed
What you’ll do here: understand how overlapping identities create barriers to sport participation, explore the nine universal and specific barriers identified in MOTM research, practice reading scenarios through an intersectional lens, and collect practical actions to promote participation.
INTERSECTIONALITY is a concept developed by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989). It explains how different aspects of a person’s identity — such as gender, race, class, religion, sexuality, or migration status — don’t just add up separately, but intersect in ways that shape their unique experiences of privilege and disadvantage. When we apply this to sport, it helps us understand why some women — especially women of migrant background — might face more or different barriers than others.
A newly arrived woman from Syria wants to join a local fitness class.
Together, these factors can make her feel excluded or unsure where to start.
A Muslim woman who wears a hijab wants to swim.
If no women-only swimming sessions exist, she is effectively excluded from participation.
A single mother from Eritrea wants to enroll her child in football.
Without financial or informational support, her child’s participation becomes difficult.
A woman from Afghanistan joins a local running group.
Even if she joins, she may still feel socially isolated.
“At first, I felt unsure because I didn’t know anyone and struggled with English. And I never thought I could participate in any sport because of my family responsibilities. But the community dance program changed that: they welcomed me and provided childcare. Now I can bring my children and still focus on my own physical and mental well-being. Through dancing, my confidence grew and I started to know new people.” — Sahra, sportsperson of Somalia.
The Mentor on the Move project did a literature review and identified NINE UNIVERSAL BARRIERS for participation of women of migrant background in sport.
Women often lack access to women-only or culturally appropriate facilities (mixed spaces, clothing rules, male instructors).
Racism and discrimination — direct or subtle — create exclusion and fear; stereotypes portray women as oppressed and voiceless.
Overlapping factors (gender, ethnicity, class, religion, migration) produce layered non-belonging; often subtle or institutional.
Family duties, work and caregiving limit time and energy; migration can disrupt sport habits; community expectations may restrict participation.
Limited experience, skills, confidence; unfamiliarity with rules, equipment, or clothing norms; fear of failure.
Without networks, women don’t know where/how to join; friends are key motivators; language barriers block information.
Fees, equipment, transport costs; shame may prevent asking for help; economic constraints create stigma.
Poor command of the host language hinders understanding, communication and social connection in sport settings.
Few visible role models with migrant backgrounds discourage participation and belonging.
Likes to swim and wants to join a club. Wears a hijab; parents worry about mixed-gender teams; English is limited.
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Recently moved; single mom. Wants to join a running club but can’t afford sports gear.
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Intersectionality shows that barriers do not exist separately but reinforce each other. Solutions must account for this layered reality.
Based on this page, what two changes could your organisation make in the next month to lower barriers for women of migrant background?