Although gender equality in sport is primarily the responsibility of national and local stakeholders and efforts should be made at EU level to address the role of women and men in sports, as athletes, coaches, journalist and in the governing bodies of sport. With the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the European Union acquired a specific competence for sport for the first time. However, since many competences in the field of sport lie with Member States, the possibility to add value is necessary to justify EU action.
Nevertheless, the scope for action is further limited by the need to take into account the specific nature of sport, national competitions and to respect the autonomy of sport’s governing structures. These two principles, deeply intertwined and vigorously defended by the sport movement, are subject to different interpretations and remain a sensitive issue in relations between the EU and sport stakeholders.
In any case, equality between women and men is a fundamental principle of the European Union and enshrined in the Treaties. It is a common value of the EU, and a necessary condition for the achievement of the EU objectives of growth, employment and
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Moreover, an international approach could also be helpful in topics, such as sexualized violence in sport, which could be delicate and sensitive at a national level and faces cross border challenges. As to its policy approach, the Commission follows a dual approach to gender equality, namely specific actions plus gender mainstreaming. Mainstreaming the principle of equality between women and men in all its activities represents a specific mission for the