Since the 1940s, women have defied gender stereotypes to play sports — most famously in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the popular movie and TV show “A League of Their Own.” Yet these days, even as men and women alike take to the fields and courts, they must face obstacles that threaten their ability to excel at sport.

Among these barriers, gender inequality in sport stems from a wide range of structural and socio-cultural issues. For example, women are less likely than men to be offered sports opportunities based on their skill level and often face barriers in finding financial support for their sports careers. Additionally, social prejudice and the belief that intense contact sports are incompatible with femininity hinder women’s involvement in sport.

These factors compound the challenges of achieving gender equality in sport, which has been a goal for many organizations and individuals. Achieving such goals requires both a comprehensive approach to policymaking and implementation, as well as awareness-raising campaigns. Achieving the highest gender equality levels in sports will require a combination of strategies, including equal pay and adequate mechanisms for reporting discrimination and harassment.

Fortunately, attitudes toward gender equality in sport appear to be shifting. For instance, the United States World Cup final in 2015 received more viewers than the men’s match, proving that sports fans are interested in seeing women defy stereotypes and achieve success. However, to overcome the barriers that still exist, it will be necessary to address the cultural and structural obstacles that have held back women’s participation in sport.