Catalysts and Constraints: Women's and Girls' Experience of Physical Activity and Sport in Qatar

Susan Dun
Motasem Kalaji
Funding: Qatar National Research Fund (UREP)

This study examined women's and girls’ participation in physical activity and its relationship with demographic factors, culture, the family and religion. Using  a survey, the researchers asked questions including: What are participation rates generally and in organized sports teams vs. individual physical activity such as going to a gym, fitness class or being active with their family – e.g., playing football/soccer at home? What are the similarities and differences between Muslim and non-Muslim women and girls? Local (i.e., Qatari) vs. expatriate? Student vs. in the workforce? Do restrictions on dress, e.g., full length or long sleeves and pants, veiling of the hair and/or face affect exercise in a desert climate? Do restrictions on behavior in public places influence how women and girls participate in physical activity? Does the availability of places where girls and women can exercise freely, such as schools or female only gyms, make a difference in women and girls’ participation in physical activity?

Honors

Finalist in 6th UREP Competition, held March 2014

Publications

Dun, S., Kalaji, M., & Stell, M. (Eds.). (2013). It’s How You Play the Game: International Perspectives on the Study of Sport. Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press.

Dun, S. & Kalaji, M. (2013). Trickle Down Sports: International Sporting Events Hosting Changing Attitudes towards Muslim Women’s Sports Participation in Qatar. In S. Dun, M. Kalaji & M. Stell (Eds.), It’s How You Play the Game: International Perspectives on the Study of Sport (pp. 39-49) Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press.

Dun, S., Spracklen, K., & Wise, N. (Eds.). (2014). Game Changer: The Transformative Potential of Sport. Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press.

Dun, S. & Kalaji, M. (2014). Unintended Effects of International Events Hosting: Expanding Opportunities for Muslim Women in Sport. In S. Dun, K. Spracklen, & N. Wise (Eds.), Game Changer: The Transformative Potential of Sport (pp. 71-86). Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press.