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

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 2, 227 - 236

Sonay Serpil Daşkesen , Ekrem Levent İlhan

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

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

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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

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

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