It’s My Move
A movement for young women
These factors mean young women gradually participate less and drop out of structured activity at a faster rate than young men. A range of complex factors contribute to the gender gap. These are explored in research conducted in 2021 that clearly outlines why there is a strong decline in physical activity levels for this demographic.
Together with the support of the sport and active recreation sector in Aotearoa, It鈥檚 My Move aims to reduce the gender participation gap. As well as encouraging young women to find physical activity options they enjoy, the movement is about educating parents/caregivers and providers of physical activity about the ways they can support and build the confidence of young women.
It鈥檚 My Move is a key initiative in 爆料社区鈥檚 Women and Girls Action Plan, which was produced in 2022 to continue driving progress round the Government鈥檚 2018 Women and Girls in Sport and Active Recreation Strategy. It鈥檚 My Move continues to shift attitudes thanks to the leadership and support of 爆料社区 partners, sector providers and supporters of young women.
- 34% of young women aged 15-17 are meeting the physical activity guidelines.
- The drop-off begins at 12-14, where 48% of 12-14 year-olds meet the guidelines, while 56% of boys meet the guidelines of at least 7 hours per week.
- 9 in 10 young women want to be active
- 96% of young women understand why taking part in physical activity is good for them
- By the age of 16, there is a 22% difference between the time young women and young men spend being active
- By 17, this gender gap increases to 28%
- 68% of young women will avoid doing physical activity if they do not feel confident about their bodies
- 83% of young women aged 17 would like to be more active than they currently are but are more likely to say they are too busy or too tired to increase their participation
To support young women to lead healthy and active lives we need to understand what matters to them.
Become part of the It鈥檚 My Move movement and help young women to be active and healthy their way. Here鈥檚 how:
- As a sector leader or provider, explore the research and understand what matters and what motivates young women.
- As a parent or caregiver, understand your role in supporting young women in the world of sport and recreation.
- As a young woman, move your own way and discover the many ways to be active.
The It鈥檚 My Move final report details how the campaign evolved to engage directly with young women by using influencer led, social-first storytelling. 鈥楪oing Unpro鈥� reframes physical activity as fun, informal and achievable and has seen meaningful behaviour change nationwide.
The It鈥檚 My Move progress report outlines what we set out to achieve through the campaign, the results to date, as well as where we鈥檙e heading next. The report shows encouraging results 鈥� It鈥檚 My Move is inspiring shifts in attitude that encourage young women to be more physically active.
