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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 10, No. 6
Publication Date: June 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/assrj.106.14844.
Hethnawi, M., Amara, S., Boukari, S., Abdelhaq, I., Ben Amar, I., Chortane, S. G., & Khalifa, R. (2023). The Role of Sport in Achieving
Sustainable of Athletic Women in Northern Governorates of Palestine. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 349-
358.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
The Role of Sport in Achieving Sustainable of Athletic Women in
Northern Governorates of Palestine
Hethnawi, Maryam
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Amara, Sofiene
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Boukari, Samia
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Abdelhaq Imad
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Ben Amar, Imen
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Sabri Gaied Chortane
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
Khalifa, Riadh
Research Unit (UR17JS01)"Sport Performance, Health & Society",
Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-saïd,
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University of Manouba, Tunisia and Higher Institute of Sport and
Physical Education of Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Tunisia
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to identify the role of sports in achieving the sustainable
development of women in the Palestinian society, and to identify the level of
knowledge of the study sample of the concept of sustainable development. Two
areas, and the study population included all workers in some Palestinian
institutions in the northern governorates of Palestine. The study sample consisted
of (2040) respondents. The sample studied for the role of sport in achieving
sustainable development for women also came to a moderate degree, with an
arithmetic mean)3.22( . The study recommended the need to promote the concept
of sustainable development within the Palestinian educational curricula and sports
circles, and to strengthen the sports strategies of Palestinian institutions for the
important role of sport in achieving sustainable development .
Keywords: Sustainable Development, Sports, Knowledge About Sustainable
Development.
INTRODUCTION
Sport is considered a significant component of global sustainability, as it is increasingly
recognized as a tool to address economic, environmental, and social challenge [5] .
Sustainable development aims to achieve greater human progress and livelihood while also
ensuring that natural resources are conserved and used sustainably [15]. Empowering women
and girls is a critical component of long-term development because it promotes gender equality,
reduces inequality, and promotes social and economic growth [12].
Sustainable development focuses the three basic pillars of sustainable development - economic,
social, and environmental - and underlines the importance of aligning economic progress with
environmental and social needs [19].
At the economic level, sustainable development aims to promote economic growth and
development in a way that satisfies basic needs and reduces unemployment, while also
ensuring that consumption is balanced with production. This is important to ensure that
resources are used efficiently and that economic development is not achieved at the expense of
the environment or social well-being [3].
The sustainable development seeks to improve social indicators such as equal distribution at
the social level, social mobility, public participation, and cultural diversity, this is crucial for
promoting social justice, reducing inequality, and ensuring that everyone has access to basic
social services such as healthcare, education, and housing [4].
At the environmental level, sustainable development aims to improve environmental indicators
and preserve the ecosystem. This is important to ensure that natural resources are used
sustainably and that the environment is protected for future generations [18].
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Hethnawi, M., Amara, S., Boukari, S., Abdelhaq, I., Ben Amar, I., Chortane, S. G., & Khalifa, R. (2023). The Role of Sport in Achieving Sustainable of
Athletic Women in Northern Governorates of Palestine. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 349-358.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.106.14844
The acknowledgement of sport's role in fostering sustainable development emphasizes the
need of incorporating sport into development policies and programs, as well as the potential
for sport to make a constructive contribution to society [5].
United Nations resolution (70/1), entitled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development”, adopted in 2015, the role of sport in promoting social progress and
sustainable development was recognized. The resolution highlights the potential of sport as a
tool for promoting peace, social inclusion, gender equality, and health, among other things [20].
Sport has the potential to promote sustainable development by improving health, education,
gender equality and social inclusion. However, despite the growing recognition of sport as a
tool for sustainable development, women are often marginalized in sports programs and face
significant barriers to participation [14] Many previous studies deal with the role of sport in
achieving sustainable development for women, which includes the following areas:
Sport can have a significant impact on women's health by reducing the risk of chronic diseases
such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that women who
participate in sports have a lower risk of breast cancer, depression, and anxiety [11].
Furthermore, women who participate in sports tend to have better mental health, self-esteem,
and better physical image [10].
Sport can improve educational outcomes for women by enhancing academic achievement,
school enrollment, and graduation rates. Research has shown that girls who participate in
sports are more likely to attend and complete school, and have higher academic performance
[7]. Moreover, sports can help girls develop important life skills such as leadership, teamwork
and problem-solving [23].
Sport can advance gender equality by challenging youth-only stereotypes, empowering women
and girls, and promoting equal opportunities for participation and leadership. Studies have
shown that women who participate in sports are more likely to challenge traditional gender
roles and norms, and have higher levels of self-efficacy and self-confidence [11]. Moreover,
sports can provide opportunities for women to break through barriers in leadership positions,
as well as to advocate for women's rights and gender equality [17].
Sport can promote social inclusion by bringing together people from different backgrounds,
promoting social cohesion, and reducing discrimination and prejudice. Studies have shown that
sports can create a sense of belonging and identity, and promote respect for diversity [6].
Moreover, sport can provide opportunities for women from marginalized communities to
engage in physical activity and social interaction, and to challenge discrimination and stigma
[23].
Authors believe that sport can play an important role in achieving sustainable development for
women by improving health, education, gender equality and social inclusion. However, in order
to maximize the potential of sport as a tool for sustainable development, there is a need for
policies and programs that address the specific needs and challenges of women in sport, and
promote equal opportunities for participation and leadership.
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Women's issues in Palestine have been a focus of attention for both international and local
organizations, as well as civil society institution particularly due to the impact of the ongoing
Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the daily lives of women and their families [8].
Palestinian women face a number of challenges, including limited access to education and
healthcare, high rates of poverty, discrimination and violence against women, movement
restrictions imposed by Israel's occupation, and limited participation in decision-making
processes [2].
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Despite the great progress in many aspects of sports in general and women in particular, the
need still exists, and we note that there are still challenges that impede the role of sport in
achieving sustainable development for Palestinian women. There is a widespread belief in
academic and popular circles that traditional values and standards limit women's freedom and
opportunities, and thus stand as a solid barrier to women's integration into the development
process [9]. Although women have a prominent position in all sports (school, university,
national, regional and international), sports women need an opportunity to obtain
administrative positions and real opportunities [16].
However, when examining the factors affecting women's participation in the development
process, researchers realize that there are a number of tangible material factors, in addition to
the traditional view of women, that work together to limit the utilization of women's energies.
The divergent relationship between women’s contribution to development and the prejudice
practiced against them constitutes the best evidence, and this was confirmed by the study [2].
From the foregoing, it is clear that the most important goals of sustainable development is the
embodiment of a social and economic protection network for women so that the social
protection system guarantees the preservation of their civil rights , and appreciates their
contribution to society, and economically that guarantees them an adequate income that
provides them with a healthy and decent life, and in general, the indicators related to
sustainable development lead us to the realization of the need to quickly develop a vision about
the path that must be taken to achieve the role of sport in achieving the sustainable
development of sports women, while being aware to the specificity of the Palestinian situation.
Hence, the researcher decided to conduct this study in order to answer the main problem of the
study, which is represented in the following question: "The role of sport in achieving
sustainable development for sports women in the northern governorates / Palestine."
RESEARCH AIMS
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the level of knowledge about the concept of
sustainable development and to examine the role of sport in sustainable development in the
northern governorates / Palestine.
METHODOLOGY AND TOOLS
The study is relying on quantitative approach based on online questionnaire as study tool to
assets the role of sport in achieving sustainable development for Palestinian women, the
answer of questionnaire based on the five-point Likert scale, and to interpret the results. The
standard means were adopted for the scale, which are (1.80) for a very low level, (1.81-2.60)
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Hethnawi, M., Amara, S., Boukari, S., Abdelhaq, I., Ben Amar, I., Chortane, S. G., & Khalifa, R. (2023). The Role of Sport in Achieving Sustainable of
Athletic Women in Northern Governorates of Palestine. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 349-358.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.106.14844
for a low level, (2.61-3.40) for a medium level, (3.41-4.20) for a high level, and greater than
(4.20) for a very high level.
The study sample consisted of (2040) individuals working in institutions (the Supreme Council
for Youth and Sports, the Palestinian Olympic Committee, the Palestinian Council of Ministers,
the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, and the Palestinian Sports
Federations), and they were chosen in the selected randomly due to the large size of the study
population, and the lack of political stability in West Bank when collecting data. Table No. (1)
shows the characteristics of the study sample according to demographic variables.
Table 1. Characteristics of the study sample individuals according to demographic or
independent variables (n = 2040).
Demographic variables Variable level Frequency Percentage %
Geographical area North of the Palestinian Bank 800 39.2
center of the Palestinian West Bank 600 29.4
south of the Palestinian West Bank 640 31.4
Total 2040 %100
Age 30 years and under 646 31.7
From 31-40 years old 720 35.3
More than 40 years old 674 33
Total 2040 %100
marital status Single/single 460 22.5
married 1394 68.3
otherwise 186 9.1
Total 2040 %100
Gender male 880 43.1
Female 1160 56.9
Total 2040 %100
VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE STUDY TOOL
The results of Table No. (2) indicate that the value of the stability coefficient for the study tool
as a whole was (0.87), and the values of the stability coefficient for the domains ranged between
(0.79-0.87), which indicates the stability of the tool and its validity to achieve the purposes of
the study.
Table 2. Reliability of the study tool (n = 45).
Cronbach
alpha
No. Domain Items
1 Knowledge of sustainable development 10 0.79
The role of sport in achieving sustainable development for sports 13 0.85
women
2
Total 34 0.87
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Knowledge of Sustainable Development
The results of Table No. (3) indicate that the overall level of knowledge of the concept of
sustainable development among the study sample was moderate, as mean= (3.22).
Table 3. Means and standard deviations for level of study sample’s knowledge about
sustainable development concept (n = 2040).
standard Mean
deviation
No. Item
1 The concept of sustainable development is clear to you 1.13 3.16
2 I have read about sustainable development already 1.13 3.11
3 Know the importance of sustainable development 1.13 3.20
4 Sustainable development preserves public facilities 1.16 3.22
Sustainable development earns people positive ethics in 1.18 3.32
dealing with the environment
5
Sustainable development spreads awareness among 1.17 3.28
members of society
6
Sustainable development is concerned with the education 1.15 3.26
of community members
7
Sustainable development achieves equality without 1.13 3.14
discrimination between women and men
8
Sustainable development contributes to achieving equity in 1.15 3.20
job opportunities
9
Sustainable development enhances the degree of 1.16 3.27
awareness of societal issues
10
Total 1.07 3.22
Knowledge of Sustainable Development
The results of Table No. (4) indicate that total score for the role of sport in achieving sustainable
development for sports women in the northern governorates / Palestine from the point of view
of the study sample was moderate; mean= (3.32).
Table 4. Means and standard deviations for role of sport in achieving sustainable
development for sports women in the northern governorates / Palestine from the point
of view of the study sample (n = 2040).
standard Mean
deviation
No. Item
Sport contributed to the participation of sports women in 1.12 3.38
workshops, seminars and scientific sports conferences
1
Sport provided the opportunity for athletic women to 1.13 3.33
overcome the difficulties and problems they face
2
Sport provided an economic return through the work of 1.10 3.25
sports women in various fields of sports
3
Sport has helped achieve justice and equality between the 1.11 3.23
sexes
4
Sport has enhanced the role of sports women in achieving 1.11 3.31
sustainable development
5
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Hethnawi, M., Amara, S., Boukari, S., Abdelhaq, I., Ben Amar, I., Chortane, S. G., & Khalifa, R. (2023). The Role of Sport in Achieving Sustainable of
Athletic Women in Northern Governorates of Palestine. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 349-358.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.106.14844
Sports promoted the concept of health awareness for 1.16 3.40
women in general and sports women in particular
6
Sport contributed to the participation of sports women in 1.11 3.33
decision-making
7
Supported sports in promoting positive behaviors and 1.15 3.39
values among sports women
8
Sport contributed to the participation of sports women in 1.12 3.36
national teams and the representation of Palestine on the
Arab, regional and international levels.
9
Sports helped athletic women motivate their children to 1.17 3.40
practice various sports
10
Sport provided the opportunity for the participation of 1.12 3.30
sports women in the Olympic Committee and sports
federations
11
Sports projects have contributed to the sustainable 1.10 3.30
development of sports women
12
International donor institutions have provided various 1.08 3.13
opportunities for sports women
13
Total 1.02 3.32
DISCUSSION
Sustainable development is a complex and multifaceted concept that lacks a clear and
universally accepted definition, this lack of clarity can lead to different interpretations and
perspectives on what sustainable development means and how it should be achieved [25]. The
finding illustrates the level of knowledge about sustainable development among Palestinian
people is moderate; hence there are several reasons why Palestinian people viewpoints about
sustainable development concept is vary because there is a differences Palestinian people
cultural and ideological backgrounds. These differences influence how Palestinian perceive and
prioritize the various dimensions of sustainable development, such as economic growth, social
equity, and environmental protection.
Sport has the ability to contribute to many facets of sustainable development and may be an
effective vehicle for fostering positive social, economic, and environmental change [13]. Sport
can raise awareness and promote action on environmental issues, such as climate change,
pollution, and conservation. Thus, promoting sport as a means of achieving sustainable
development is essential, and stakeholders must work together to ensure that sport is used
effectively as a tool for positive social, economic, and environmental change [14].
The results show sports play an important role in achieving development from study sample
view point. The researcher attributes the reason for this result to the fact that the respondents
agree in their answers about the role of sport in achieving the sustainable development of
sports women in the northern governorates / Palestine, where sport can play an important role
in achieving sustainable development for the Palestinian people, who face numerous challenges
related to social, economic, and political instability. Throw promoting health and well-being
which is essential for the Palestinian people who face high levels of stress and trauma due to
the ongoing conflict and occupation [27]. Sport can also provide a safe space for children and
youth to engage in physical activity and promote healthy lifestyles [24]. Sports also fosters
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social cohesion and inclusion in Palestine where the community is divided along political and
geographical lines [21]. In addtion, sport sector has potential to create jobs and stimulate
economic growth, particularly in the areas of sports tourism and sports equipment
manufacturing [23]. For Palestinian Sport can raise awareness and promote action on
environmental issues, such as water scarcity and waste management, which are significant
challenges in Palestine [22]. Sport can provide opportunities for vocational training in areas
such as coaching, sports medicine, and sports administration, as well as opportunities for
personal development and social learning [23].
Authors believes that the role of sport in achieving sustainable development in Palestine can be
enhanced through a set of policy and program interventions that focus on increasing access,
promoting gender equality, supporting popular sports, investing in sports infrastructure,
involving youth and women in particular, and using sports to promote concepts of social
cohesion, development of sports tourism and encouragement of partnerships and cooperation.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
In the light of study finding; Authors can provide several recommendations proposed to
enhance the role of sport in achieving sustainable development in Palestine include:
▪ Increased access to sports facilities: There is a need to increase access to sports facilities,
particularly in rural marginalized communities, to ensure that everyone has equal
opportunity to participate in sports.
▪ Promote gender equality: Women and girls should be encouraged to participate in
sports, and efforts should be made to address the barriers they face in accessing sports
facilities and training.
▪ Supporting Grassroots Sports Programs: Basic sports programs can provide
opportunities for children and youth to develop athletic abilities, learn teamwork and
build leadership skills.
▪ Investing in sports infrastructure: Investing in sports infrastructure can help create jobs,
improve health outcomes, and enhance community cohesion.
▪ Increase women's participation. Women should be involved in the design and
implementation of sports programs, as they are the primary beneficiaries and can
provide valuable insights into what works best.
▪ Using sports to enhance social cohesion, as sports can be used as a tool to enhance social
cohesion and bridge divisions between different communities in Palestine.
▪ Developing sports tourism: Developing sports tourism can help generate revenue and
promote Palestine as a tourist destination.
▪ Encouraging partnerships and collaboration: Partnerships and collaboration between
government, civil society and private sector stakeholders can help create a more
sustainable sports ecosystem in Palestine.
LIMIT OF THE STUDY
The findings of the study may be specific to the Northern Governorates of Palestine and may
not be easily applicable or generalizable to other regions or countries, further investigation for
all the governorates of Palestine would be preferable.
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Hethnawi, M., Amara, S., Boukari, S., Abdelhaq, I., Ben Amar, I., Chortane, S. G., & Khalifa, R. (2023). The Role of Sport in Achieving Sustainable of
Athletic Women in Northern Governorates of Palestine. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(6). 349-358.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.106.14844
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors appreciate all workers in Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, the Palestinian
Olympic Committee, the Palestinian Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Higher Education,
Ministry of Education, and Palestinian Sports Federations for their collaboration in this study.
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