FDEI Lima Peru

Lima, Peru (May 2023)



Project Goals

  •  Address the global public health issue of insufficient physical activity among girls and women in Lima, Peru
  • Increase security for girls and women athletes

Guiding Question 

 ¿Qué hace que sea fácil o difícil para ti y otras niñas y mujeres participar en deportes o actividad física?  

What makes it easy or difficult for you and other girls and women to participate in sports or physical activity?

Project Description

Peru is one out of many countries around the world where women and girls have disproportionately lower levels of physical activity compared to their male counterparts. There are many barriers including social determinants of health and higher rates of gender-based violence. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors impacting access and engagement in physical activity among female athletes in Peru. At the same time,  it highlighted opportunities for promoting health equity among female athletes, both within the realm of sports and beyond.

Insights

15-22-year-old female athletes on the Peruvian national sports team in Lima, Peru collected 55 photos and narratives about their experiences in sport and physical activity participation.

Strengths Identified

  • Safety:
    • Admission to the complex
  • Infrastructure 
    • Modern fields in good condition
    • Field maintenance 
  • Health
    • Bathroom Cleanliness

 

Identified Areas for Improvement

  • Lack of Safety
    • Cameras inside the complex (upgrade).
    • Rules of coexistence and values 
  • Infrastructure
    • Access to facilities
  • Street Harassment
    • Around the complex and on the way to and from training:
      • Insecurity, constant fear of sexualization, lack of respect for women 
  • Transportation
    • Ability to travel safely to training 
      • Costs associated with transportation.
      • Lack of security 
  • Sanitation
    • Hygiene in the facilities to ensure health
      • Animal Waste
  • Outreach
    • Lack of the spread of the sport to other people through references and good sports management practices.
      • Social media content (self-managed).
      • Achieve greater visibility and reach.
      • Establish alliances with sponsors.

Activities and Outcomes

Themes and Solutions Identified by Citizen Scientists

  • Safety
    • Trainers are trained and  prepared for any situation
    • Cameras around or outside the complex, create informational posters or make a manual and send it to each federation
  • Infrastructure 
    • Enable more rest rooms according to each gender or sport.
    • Have closer access to the softball field
  • Outreach
    • Dedicate more budget to advertising.
    • Increase exposure of softball and other not-so-known sports on television (space on national channels plus international sports programs)
  • Sanitation
    • Make a manual or hygiene standard within public spaces
    • Awareness of cleanliness in the rest rooms
  • Transportation 
    • Transportation that receives subsidies from either the federation or sponsorships
    • Provide financial support to girls who use public transport
  • Street harassment 
    • Educate children about this threat
    • Self defense kit (gas, pepper, etc.)

 

  •  
  • Other Solutions Identified Includes:
  • Safety: Security personnel/security guards
  • Infrastructure: Add a door for easy access.
  • Street harassment: Advertising against harassment around the countryside (posters, posters, posters, etc.).
  • Sanitation: Enable a space for cats away from open sports fields.
  • Transportation: More sports complexes around Lima and Peru in general.
  • Outreach: Invite the public to watch our matches.

People and Collaborators

Collaborating Organization(s) / Institutional Partner(s):

  • Fundación Deporte en Igualdad (Peru)
  • Instituto Peruano del Deporte (Peru) 
  • Stanford University (USA)

 

Point of Contact for More Information:

  • Alex Szawranskyj: alexvera@stanford.edu
  • Maja Pedersen: majaped@stanford.edu

Associated Publications

  • Participatory action research and citizen science to advance physical activity security among female athletes in Peru (Penderson et al, 2024)

Our Voice Impact

"This experience has changed my life.  I see inadequacies everywhere I go as it relates to pedestrian access and safety.  I even stop [at] construction sites to remind them to be considerate of the handicapped in our community.  Thank you all so much for this awareness and empowerment to require change."

~ Pam Jiner, GirlTrek Advocacy Leader, Denver CO