By Tiamiyu Arobani

UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has berated nations and clubs around the world for underpaying women in sports.

Türk called on member states and sports clubs to address the vast gender and stark pay gap which still exists in women’s sport.

“The playing field is still far from level,” Türk said.

“We need to build up a world of sports in which women and girls, in all their diversity, are equally valuable, visible and paid.”

While professional male footballers earn, on average, 1.8 million dollars annually at the top clubs, women athletes at top clubs have an average income of 24,000 dollars.

Similarly, the average woman athlete, not at top clubs, earns even less than that, rounding out to approximately 10,900 dollars per year.

“Without a stable income, women are forced to take other jobs, leaving them with less time and energy to focus on training and improving,” Türk said.

He stressed that the wage gap is made even more unsustainable by a lack of sufficient protection in the workplace.

For instance, he said, there is minimal, if any, maternity leave.

There are also few few places to​​ turn to for redress when harassment occurs.

Women are also very underrepresented in leadership of professional clubs and federations. Of the 31 federations, women chaired only three.

In spite of such sobering statistics, some federations have begun to institute changes, enshrining maternity and adoption leave and establishing pay equity agreements.

Türk called on member states to institute comprehensive anti-discrimination systems which promote pay equality and ensure that violence and harassment in sports is brought to justice.

He also said that the media can and should be a “force for good” in portraying women’s success stories in sports and by ensuring that their coverage is accurate and ethical.

“Sports can drive social change, and inspire and promote fairness, respect and equal opportunities for all.

“Today let’s champion a sporting world where women and girls can thrive.”  (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen