تحلیل روابط و راهکارهای مرتبط با موانع حقوقی ورزش زنان

Background and Purpose
Women's sports in Iran face a range of legal limitations and obstacles that distinguish them from other sports sectors. These legal barriers restrict the development and participation of women in sports, reflecting broader societal challenges related to gender equity and rights. The observance of women's rights in sports is not only a national issue but also a significant concern for the global community, as gender equality and empowerment are fundamental human rights recognized internationally.
Despite the increasing attention to women's rights in various domains, the legal challenges specific to women's sports have not been adequately addressed, particularly in Iran. These challenges encompass a complex interplay of scientific, educational, human resource, legal, structural, managerial, and jurisprudential factors. The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationships among these legal barriers and to propose solutions that can facilitate the advancement of women's sports within the legal framework.
 
Materials and Methods
The study employed a mixed exploratory research design combining both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of the legal obstacles facing women's sports.
In the qualitative phase, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and systematic library research. The research population included two main groups: human resources consisting of experts in law and sports law, sports management professors, vice presidents of sports federations familiar with sports law, and information sources such as scientific articles, library materials, and relevant media content. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. This resulted in 10 expert interviews and the review of 23 documents.
The quantitative phase involved a targeted sample of 30 sports law experts, selected for their specialized knowledge in the field. The research tools included semi-structured exploratory interviews, a systematic library study, and an expert questionnaire designed to analyze causal relationships among the identified obstacles. The validity of the tools was confirmed through practical merit, legal and scientific validity, expert opinions, and consensus among reviewers.
Data analysis in the qualitative phase followed a three-stage coding process—open, axial, and selective coding—to extract themes and develop a conceptual framework. The quantitative phase utilized Dimatel’s technique, a decision-making method based on paired comparisons, to identify causal relationships, direction, and intensity of effects between factors. This method enabled experts to express their opinions more fluently regarding the influence of various obstacles.
 
Findings
The qualitative analysis resulted in a conceptual framework comprising five major dimensions of legal obstacles, encompassing 24 components. These dimensions are:

Scientific-Educational Dimension:This includes the lack of attention to sports law in physical education and law faculties, insufficient scientific resources related to sports law, and especially the rights of women in sports. The absence of adequate educational materials and academic focus on these issues hampers awareness and advocacy.
Human Resources Dimension: Key components here include a shortage of specialized experts in women's sports rights, low levels of legal knowledge among sports activists—particularly regarding women's rights—and insufficient familiarity among sports practitioners with the legal frameworks protecting women.
Legal and Regulatory Dimension: This dimension highlights the dispersion and ambiguity of laws, lack of comprehensive and transparent regulations, insufficiency of protective laws specifically addressing women's sports rights, and the absence of legal mechanisms to establish gender justice within sports organizations.
Structural-Managerial Dimension: Challenges include legal conflicts involving Iranian women athletes and international federations, lack of financial transparency, prevalence of corruption, brokering, and bribery, and the absence or inadequacy of disciplinary committees across various sports disciplines.
Jurisprudential-Shari'a Dimension: This encompasses restrictions on women’s attendance at stadiums due to jurisprudential rulings, limitations on broadcasting women's matches, restrictions on participation and representation in certain sports fields based on Shari'a considerations, and limited awareness or misconceptions among some jurists and authorities regarding women's sports and its benefits.

Quantitative analysis using Dimatel’s technique revealed that jurisprudential-Shari'a obstacles exert the greatest influence on women's sports legal barriers. Human resource obstacles, legal obstacles, structural-managerial obstacles, and scientific-educational obstacles follow in descending order of influence. Notably, structural-managerial obstacles are the most influential in terms of direct impact, while legal and scientific-educational obstacles serve as significant handicaps. Human and jurisprudential-Shari'a obstacles were identified as causal factors, indicating their foundational role in shaping the overall legal environment.
 
Discussion
The research findings underscore the multifaceted nature of legal barriers confronting women's sports in Iran. The jurisprudential-Shari'a dimension, deeply rooted in cultural and religious interpretations, presents the most significant challenge, affecting women's access to sports venues, media representation, and participation rights. This dimension is intricately linked with societal perceptions and legal interpretations that require sensitive and informed approaches to reform.
Human resource limitations, including the scarcity of experts and low legal literacy among sports practitioners, further exacerbate these challenges. Enhancing education and training in sports law, particularly focusing on women's rights, is essential to empower stakeholders and facilitate legal reforms.
The legal and regulatory framework suffers from fragmentation and lack of clarity, impeding the establishment of consistent protections for women in sports. Structural and managerial deficiencies, including corruption and lack of transparency, undermine the enforcement of existing laws and policies.
Addressing these obstacles requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates educational initiatives, legal reforms, structural improvements, and cultural engagement. The study highlights the importance of raising awareness through training programs for female coaches and athletes, developing clear and enforceable laws to protect women's sports rights, and promoting the broadcasting of women's competitions to enhance visibility and societal acceptance.
 
Conclusion
This study concludes that overcoming the legal barriers to women's sports in Iran necessitates a multi-dimensional approach. Prioritizing education in sports law, increasing legal literacy among stakeholders, and establishing robust legal protections are foundational steps. Furthermore, addressing jurisprudential concerns through dialogue and informed interpretation can facilitate greater inclusion of women in sports.
The promotion of women's sports rights should also incorporate international perspectives and best practices. Comparative studies on the development and institutionalization of women's sports rights in other countries, especially developed nations, can provide valuable insights and strategies adaptable to the Iranian context.
Finally, the research validated a scale for measuring legal barriers to women's sports, providing a useful tool for future studies and policy evaluation. By implementing the recommendations derived from this research, policymakers and sports organizations can foster a more equitable, transparent, and supportive environment for women athletes, contributing to the broader goals of gender equality and sustainable sports development.