In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes' Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games

Sonay Serpil Daşkesen; Ekrem Levent İlhan

doi:10.33438/ijdshs.1600006

TR EN

Çifte Dezavantajın Gölgesinde: Türk Kadın Sporcuların Paralimpik Oyunlardaki Katılım ve Temsil Serüveni

Öz

Bu araştırma, Türk kadın paralimpik sporcuların Paralimpik Oyunlar’a katılım düzeylerini, branş çeşitliliğini ve kazandıkları madalyaları tarihsel bir perspektifte incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma kapsamında, 1960-2024 yılları arasında Uluslararası Paralimpik Komitesi (IPC) ve Türkiye Paralimpik Komitesi web sitelerinde yer alan genel sonuç tabloları incelenmiş ve döküman analizi yöntemi kullanılarak elde edilen veriler analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, Türk kadın sporcuların 2004 yılında ilk kez Paralimpik Oyunlar’a katıldığını ve katılım sayılarının yıllar içinde istikrarlı bir şekilde arttığını göstermektedir. 2024 yılı itibarıyla kadın sporcular toplamda 155 katılımla temsil edilmiş ve 40 madalya kazanmıştır. En çok madalya kazandıran branşlar arasında halter, judo, masa tenisi ve okçuluk öne çıkmaktadır. Kadın sporcuların başarılarının, cinsiyet eşitliğine yönelik farkındalık ve destek mekanizmalarının artmasıyla doğru orantılı olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırmanın sonuçları, Türk kadın paralimpik sporcuların başarısının toplumsal cinsiyet eşitliğinin desteklenmesine önemli katkılar sunduğunu göstermektedir. Ancak, bu başarının sürdürülebilirliği için sporculara yönelik daha güçlü ekonomik destek, eğitim fırsatları ve liderlik pozisyonlarına erişim gibi alanlarda iyileştirmeler yapılması gerektiği vurgulanmaktadır. Araştırma, kadın sporcuların spor dünyasında daha aktif ve eşit fırsatlara sahip olması için bütünsel politikalar geliştirilmesi gerektiğine dikkat çekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Paralimpik Oyunlar , Sporda Cinsiyet Eşitliği , Engelli Kadınlar , Çifte Dezavantaj

In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes' Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games

Abstract

Purpose: The Paralympic Games provide a significant platform for the representation of women with disabilities in sports and for overcoming societal prejudices. This study aims to analyze the level of participation of Turkish female Paralympic athletes in the Paralympic Games, the diversity of the sports they participated in, and the number and types of medals they won from a historical perspective. Method: A qualitative research method has been adopted, and document analysis was used for data collection. The data were obtained from the official website of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The data were categorized into six categories: number of participations, number of medals, type of medals, sports, world ranking, and gender-based world ranking. These data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, with frequency and percentage analyses applied, and all data were tabulated using Microsoft Excel. Result: The findings reveal that, between 2004 and 2024, female athletes participated in the Paralympic Games a total of 155 times and won 40 medals (7 gold, 13 silver, 20 bronze), with weightlifting being the sport with the most medals. In terms of female athlete representation, Turkey ranked 104th in 2004, and by 2020, it had risen to 11th place. Regarding the success ranking in the Paralympic Games, Turkey ranked 53rd in 2004 and improved to 23rd in 2024. Conclusion: In conclusion, the promotion of gender equality has contributed significantly to increasing the participation of Turkish female Paralympic athletes in sports, thereby making important contributions to the country's success in the Paralympic Games.

Keywords

Paralympic Games , Gender Equality in Sports , Women with Disabilities , Double Disadvantage

References

Alpdoğan, S. S. (2022). Sports organizations and associations for individuals with special needs. In E. L. İlhan, E. Yarımkaya, & O. K. Esentürk (Eds.), Adapted physical education and sports for individuals with special needs (pp. 349–379). Pegem Academy.
Bailey, S. (2008). Athlete first: A history of the Paralympic movement. Wiley & Sons.
Ballan, M. S., & Freyer, M. (2017). Trauma-informed social work practice with women with disabilities: Working with survivors of intimate partner violence. Advances in Social Work, 18(1), 131–144. [CrossRef]
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. [CrossRef]
Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2011). Handbook of data analysis for social sciences. Ankara: Pegem Academi.
Clark, B., & Mesch, J. (2016). A global perspective on disparity of gender and disability for deaf female athletes. Sport in Society, 19(6), 64–75. [CrossRef]
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory, and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167. [CrossRef]
De Pauw, K., & Gavron, S. (2005). Disability sport (2nd ed.). Edwards Brothers. [CrossRef]
García-Cuéllar, M. M., Pastor-Moreno, G., Ruiz-Perez, I., & Henares-Montiel, J. (2023). The prevalence of intimate partner violence against women with disabilities: a systematic review of the literature. Disability and Rehabilitation, 45(1), 1-8. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Güven, B., Kara, F. M., & Özdedeoğlu, B. (2019). The socialization process for women with disabilities in sports: A double barrier?. Pamukkale Journal of Sport Sciences, 10(3), 7-17.

Hanlon, C., & Taylor, T. (2022). Workplace experiences of women with disability in sport organizations. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, 792703. [CrossRef]
IPC. (2024). IPC Bodies. Retrieved from https://www.paralympic.org/ipc-bodies Katkat, D., & Doğanel, E. D. (2024). Resilience Capacity and Life Skills of Paralympic Athletes. International Journal of Active & Healthy Aging, 2(2), 38–44. [CrossRef]
Kirakosyan, L. (2021). Challenging gender and disability stereotypes: Narrative identities of Brazilian female Paralympians. Disabilities, 1(4), 420–437. [CrossRef]
Limoochi, S., & Le Clair, J. M. (2011). Reflections on the participation of Muslim women in disability sport: Hijab, Burkini®, modesty and changing strategies. Sport in Society, 14(9), 1300–1309. [CrossRef]
Matin, B. K., Williamson, H. J., Karyani, A. K., Rezaei, S., Soofi, M., & Soltani, S. (2021). Barriers in access to healthcare for women with disabilities: A systematic review in qualitative studies. BMC Women's Health, 21(1), 1–23. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Mauerberg-deCastro, E., Campbell, D. F., & Tavares, C. P. (2016). The global reality of the Paralympic movement: Challenges and opportunities in disability sports. Motriz: Revista de Educação Física, 22, 111–123. [CrossRef]
Naghdi-Dorabati, P., Shahali, S., Montazeri, A., & Ahmadi, F. (2024). The unmet need for sexual health services among women with physical disabilities: a scoping review. Journal of Public Health, 1-12. [CrossRef]
Olasagasti-Ibargoien, J., Castañeda-Babarro, A., León-Guereño, P., & Uria-Olaizola, N. (2023). Barriers to physical activity for women with physical disabilities: A systematic review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8(2), 82. [CrossRef]
Olenik, L. M., Matthews, J. M., & Steadward, R. D. (1995). Women, disability and sport: Unheard voices. Canadian Woman Studies, 15(4), 91–95.
Olympics. (2024). IOC gender equality and inclusion objectives 2021–2024. Retrieved from https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Documents/Beyond-the-Games/Gender-Equality-in-Sport/
Paralympics. (2024). Paris 2024: Record number of delegations and females compete. Retrieved from https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024/news/
Remi, R., Joncheray, H., & Dugas, E. (2017). Disabled sportswomen and gender construction in powerchair football. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 52(1), 61–81. [CrossRef]
Santos, L. G. T. F., dos Santos Alves, I., Feliciano, N. F., Torres, A. A. O., de Campos, L. F. C. C., & Alves, M. L. T. (2024). Brazilian women in Paralympic sports: Uncovering historical milestones in the Summer Paralympic Games. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 1(1), 1–14. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Thompson, W. (2016). Introduction to the Paralympic movement. In Y. Vanlandewijck & W. Thompson (Eds.), Training and coaching the Paralympic athlete (pp. 1–20). Wiley & Sons. [CrossRef]
TMOK. (2024). Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Retrieved from https://olimpiyat.org.tr/Oyun-Detay/paris-2024-yaz-olimpiyat-oyunlar/
TMPK. (2024). Paralympic sports. Retrieved from https://www.tmpk.org.tr/paralimpik-sporlar/
UN Women Turkey & Disabled Women's Association. (2024). With graphs, the situation, needs, and priorities of women with disabilities in Turkey: A rights-based research. Retrieved from https://eca.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/2024- 09/unwomen_turkiye_engellikadinkimdir_reportsummary_turkish_digital_final.pdf
UN Women. (2018). The empowerment of women and girls with disabilities: Towards full and effective participation and gender equality. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/ publications/2018/12/the-empowerment-of-women-and-girls-with-disabilities
United Nations (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
United Nations (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/
United Nations (2016). General comment No. 3: Article 6: Women and girls with disabilities (CRPD/C/GC/3). United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Retrieved from https://disasterlaw.ifrc.org/media/295 United Nations. (1979). Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. (CEDAW). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/womenwatch /daw/cedaw/
United Nations. (1995). Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/ womenwatch/daw/beijing/platform/
Wisdom, J. P., McGee, M. G., Horner-Johnson, W., Michael, Y. L., Adams, E., & Berlin, M. (2010). Health disparities between women with and without disabilities: A review of the research. Social Work in Public Health, 25(3–4), 368–386. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
World Health Organization (WHO). (2011). World report on disability. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/ publications/i/item/9789241564182

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Training, Sports and Physical Activity For Disabled

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sonay Serpil Daşkesen ^*
0000-0002-8227-6590
Türkiye

Ekrem Levent İlhan
0000-0002-1117-2700
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

April 10, 2025

Publication Date

April 25, 2025

Submission Date

December 11, 2024

Acceptance Date

March 28, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1600006

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA58AG56PA

APA

Daşkesen, S. S., & İlhan, E. L. (2025). In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences, 8(2), 227-236. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1600006

AMA

1.Daşkesen SS, İlhan EL. In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games. International Journal of Disabilities Sports &Health Sciences. 2025;8(2):227-236. doi:10.33438/ijdshs.1600006

Chicago

Daşkesen, Sonay Serpil, and Ekrem Levent İlhan. 2025. “In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games”. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences 8 (2): 227-36. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1600006.

EndNote

Daşkesen SS, İlhan EL (April 1, 2025) In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences 8 2 227–236.

IEEE

[1]S. S. Daşkesen and E. L. İlhan, “In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games”, International Journal of Disabilities Sports &Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 227–236, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.33438/ijdshs.1600006.

ISNAD

Daşkesen, Sonay Serpil - İlhan, Ekrem Levent. “In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games”. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences 8/2 (April 1, 2025): 227-236. https://doi.org/10.33438/ijdshs.1600006.

JAMA

1.Daşkesen SS, İlhan EL. In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games. International Journal of Disabilities Sports &Health Sciences. 2025;8:227–236.

MLA

Daşkesen, Sonay Serpil, and Ekrem Levent İlhan. “In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games”. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences, vol. 8, no. 2, Apr. 2025, pp. 227-36, doi:10.33438/ijdshs.1600006.

Vancouver

1.Sonay Serpil Daşkesen, Ekrem Levent İlhan. In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes’ Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games. International Journal of Disabilities Sports &Health Sciences. 2025 Apr. 1;8(2):227-36. doi:10.33438/ijdshs.1600006

Çifte Dezavantajın Gölgesinde: Türk Kadın Sporcuların Paralimpik Oyunlardaki Katılım ve Temsil Serüveni

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

In the Shadow of Double Disadvantage: Turkish Women Athletes' Participation and Representation in Paralympic Games

Abstract

Keywords

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Early Pub Date

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

Cite