Women in Golf Charter Background
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The R&A launched the Women in Golf Charter to the industry in May 2018. It aims to increase women and girls’ participation and membership in golf, encourage more families to enjoy golf as a leisure activity and encourage more opportunities for women to work in the golf industry.
To achieve this goal and to enable women to flourish throughout golf, the R&A recognises the need for a fundamental shift in culture. There is a clear ethical need for change and the potential economic benefits of growing the sport through more women and girls playing, are substantial.
The R&A commits to playing a leading role in this process and to working with affiliates, partners and the wider golf industry towards achieving this goal. The Charter specifically aims to:
- Strengthen the focus on gender balance and provide a united position for the golf industry
- Commit national federations and organisations to support measures targeted at increasing participation of women, girls and families in golf
- Call upon signatories to take positive action to support the recruitment, retention and progression of women working at all levels of the sport
- Set individual targets for national associations for participation and membership and reporting progress annually
- Develop an inclusive environment for women and girls within golf
"A commitment to a more inclusive culture within golf"
Across the globe, women as a whole have and continue to be under represented at all levels of the Golf Club, namely; categories of membership, access to the course, access to competitions, coaching, refereeing and leadership opportunities. Over the past 15 years there has been a noticeable shift in all areas mentioned above, particularly in the Republic of Ireland largely due to the Equal Status Act.
In 1991, just 13% of female members were “allowed” to attend their club AGM’s, with only 7% having a vote. This is one of the largest shifts in modern day club membership with 51% of females now having full membership and voting rights in their club, his differs significantly in Northern Ireland where just 15% of women are full members.
However, with women and girls making up 22% of Golf Club membership across 368 Golf Clubs and only half of them having full rights there is a clear opportunity to improve the voice of women and the support available to clubs across the country in Golf Ireland.
A key objective of Golf Ireland is to promote equality and inclusivity in golf across the island of Ireland. While many Golf Clubs are already committed to this objective, statistics from a recent survey shows that challenges continue to exist in terms of fairness for all particularly in the areas of membership, timesheet access, coaching and governance.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF CHARTER SIGNATORIES IN IRELAND
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF LOCAL CHARTER CHAMPIONS IN IRELAND
CLICK HERE FOR GOLF IRELAND'S CHARTER COMMITMENTS
CLICK HERE TO BECOME A CLUB CHARTER CHAMPION