Spotlight on girls and young women - participation
Spotlight on girls and young women - participation
This spotlight brings together the latest insights on girls' and young women's participation in play, active recreation and sport.
Drawing on data from Active NZ, Voice of Tamariki and Voice of Rangatahi, the spotlight highlights where progress is being made, where gaps remain, and what these insights mean for organisations, communities and decision-makers. The findings are intended to support conversations and action that help create more equitable opportunities and experiences for girls and young women.
At a glance
62,643 Young people contributed insights through Active NZ, Voice of Tamariki and Voice of Rangatahi.
Participation gap Girls are less likely than boys to meet physical activity guidelines across age groups.
Confidence matters Young women are almost 3 times more likely than young men to say they are not confident enough to be active.
Experiences differ Girls report lower enjoyment of physical activity than boys in some settings, particularly during school time.
Key insights
Participation gaps emerge early
Girls are less likely than boys to meet physical activity guidelines across age groups. Participation gaps emerge in childhood and often become more pronounced during teenage years.
Experiences matter
Girls report lower enjoyment of physical activity than boys in some settings, particularly during school time. Differences become more evident through teenage years.
Opportunities shape participation
The types of activities girls and boys participate in can differ. Providing visible, relevant and accessible opportunities is important for supporting participation.
Confidence influences participation
Girls and young women are more likely to report barriers such as low confidence, fear of being watched and concerns about making mistakes. These factors can affect whether they feel comfortable taking part.
Confidence gaps widen over time
While girls often report strong physical literacy in childhood, confidence and perceptions of capability can decline during teenage years.
Questions for reflection
The spotlight is designed as more than a summary of the evidence. It includes discussion prompts to help organisations, communities and networks reflect on what the findings mean in their context and identify opportunities for action.
Consider:
What helps girls and young women feel confident, welcome and supported to be active?
What opportunities exist to improve participation experiences?
How visible and accessible are opportunities for girls and young women in your setting?
What practical action could make a difference in your organisation or community?
Examples of action
Across New Zealand, organisations and communities are already taking positive steps to support girls and young women to participate in play, active recreation and sport. We'll add case studies and examples that highlight different approaches to creating welcoming environments, building confidence and expanding opportunities.
Rangatahi pass on passion for bouldering
Final report: Young women’s physical activity campaign (PDF)
WORD – World off-road riding department
