Junior national team of Serbia engages in gender equality workshop with former Olympian Sanja Malagurski
The handball cadet national team of Serbia took part in an inspiring and educational gender equality wWorkshop for sport professionals, as the part of GESP project. Event brought together 21 athletes and coaches to discuss the challenges and opportunities in promoting gender equality in sports.
Led by experts Katarina Ilic and former athlete, Sanja Malagurski, the workshop provided valuable insights into gender equality in sports, focusing on:
- Recognizing and challenging gender stereotypes
- Identifying barriers to inclusivity and strategies to overcome them Implementing gender-sensitive practices in sports environments
- Developing concrete action plans for fostering equality in sports organizations
Through interactive discussions and collaborative exercises, participants not only deepened their understanding of these issues but also worked on practical solutions and actionable steps to implement within their own teams and organizations.
A highlight of the workshop was the participation of Sanja Malagurski, former Olympian and European champion, who shared her personal journey as a female athlete navigating challenges in professional sports.
As an athlete, I faced many obstacles beyond the court—unequal opportunities, gender biases, and the constant need to prove my worth. But through resilience and a strong support system, I turned these challenges into motivation. Your generation has the power to reshape the future of sports," Malagurski told the young athletes.
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the participants’ commitment to further action. To support their ongoing efforts, they agreed to receive the "Gender equality in sport: A guide for athletes, coaches, referees, and professionals"—a resource covering:
- Barriers to gender equality and how to address them
- Steps for fostering inclusivity and gender-sensitive practices
- Actionable recommendations for equal representation in sports
The guide will serve as a practical resource for the cadet national team athletes and their coaches, helping them navigate and address gender-related challenges in sports. Athletes can use it to become more aware of biases and contribute to a more inclusive team culture, while coaches can apply its strategies to create training environments that promote equal opportunities and fair treatment. The guide offers concrete steps to translate workshop discussions into real actions within their teams and clubs.
