How is sport employed as a vehicle for redefining gender identity?

The attached dissertation uses as its founding premise the notion that sport can be a liberator in oppressed societies.

Although sport and athletics have historically been a male oriented domain, the increase in female participation within certain societies where the gender divide is entrenched in what is perceived as outdated dogma by Western standards, has led to a new enthusiasm among women to attempt to narrow the gender gap that exists in their societies.

There is some evidence that women living in closed societies whose attitude to sports and participation therein is positive, carry on to achieve other goals outside the sporting arena.