Tenerife Examines Women’s Health in Sports at a National Conference

The Tenerife Island Council, through its Sports Department, today announced the Third National Congress on Women and Sports, which will be held at the Tenerife Auditorium on March 3 and 4. Under the slogan Women’s Health in Sports, the conference will explore the factors that limit women’s performance in sports.

The president of the Tenerife Island Council, Pedro Martín, presented the details of this event alongside the island’s sports minister, Concepción Rivero, and the president of the National Congress of Women and Sports Association, Cristina Gallo.

“Promoting equality should not be an exception, nor should it be considered a merit for any politician. It is not just a matter of talking about equality or championing policies that affect us all, but above all of addressing issues that concern and preoccupy us, in the media, in clubs, and in society at large, and that affect women’s ability to participate in the world of sports,” said the president of the Cabildo, Pedro Martín.

“This conference will also complement other initiatives we have launched at the Cabildo, including the ‘Educar Entrenando’ program, the ‘Women and Sports’ program, and prioritizing those teams that emphasize women’s participation,” continued the president, who added that “it’s not about producing winners, but about fostering individuals capable of integrating into society, making it more egalitarian, more democratic, and more respectful, and, ultimately, to work toward ensuring that sports serve to achieve equal rights.”

The island’s Sports Minister, Concepción Rivero, described the conference as “a landmark event for people who work and conduct research on women in sports” and stated that for the island of Tenerife, “it is a great opportunity to host this edition of the event, as it will allow us to highlight and recognize our female athletes.” In this regard, she noted that the conference will feature “prominent figures in this field, including researchers, academics, psychologists, legal experts, and, of course, athletes from various sports.”

For her part, Cristina Gallo, president of the National Congress Association for Women and Sports, explained that this meeting will serve to bring the issue of health to the table from a broader perspective, taking into account the psychosocial aspects that need to be addressed.” Among these, Gallo explained, “we will examine studies that analyze harassment and abuse, as it is essential to consider the data on gender-based violence in sports but also the tools available to address them, as well as issues related to mental health and the inclusion of transgender people in women’s sports.”

The sessions will begin on Friday, March 3, at 9:30 a.m. and will feature expert researchers who have carried out various projects to combat sexual harassment and abuse in sports; one example being Bárbara Fuertes, deputy director general for Women and Sports at the Higher Sports Council, who will present the protocol for protecting athletes.

In addition, various professionals with international experience will discuss the current situation regarding the inclusion of transgender people in women’s categories in competitive sports, as well as the regulations being implemented by sports federations and their implications.

In addition, various female psychology experts will delve into the need for mental health care for female athletes and active players, sharing real-life accounts of their experiences with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and stress.

Among the highlights of the event are a Canarian wrestling exhibition featuring several women’s teams from the Tenerife Canarian Wrestling Federation, and a tribute to the women of Tenerife who are role models in national and international sports.

This conference has been held biennially since 2017, although the pandemic forced a break in that continuity; in previous years, it took place in the cities of Valencia and Bilbao. This is a free event that requires prior registration on the website, www.congresomujeresydeporte.es. Participants can choose between in-person or online attendance, as it will also be streamed live.