On International Women's Day, we take a moment to reflect on progress, celebrate achievements, and acknowledge the work still needed to create equality. In Taekwon-Do, women continue to break barriers, yet true advancement is not just about opportunities—it’s about allyship.
Male allies play a crucial role in ensuring that women are not only included but also empowered within the sport. However, allyship is not about men leading the way—it’s about working with women, not for them. It’s about listening, supporting, and amplifying women’s voices while ensuring that progress is a shared effort, not one dictated by those in power.
This blog explores what true allyship looks like in Taekwon-Do and how men can support women in meaningful ways—not by rescuing, not by speaking for them, but by standing alongside them as equals.
Doing Things With Women, Not To Women
Progress for women in Taekwon-Do isn’t about men taking charge—it’s about working alongside women to create an inclusive and supportive environment. True allyship means doing things with women, not to women. It’s not about rescuing, taking control, or defining how women should advance in the sport. Instead, male allies play a crucial role by listening, amplifying women’s voices, and supporting their leadership.
Understanding Male Allyship
Being an ally means understanding that women already have a vision for their progression in Taekwon-Do. Male allies aren’t there to control or dictate that vision—they are there to hear, support, and stand alongside women in their journey.
Allyship is about collaboration, not leadership. It’s ensuring that women have the platform, resources, and respect they need to succeed in coaching, competition, and governance within the sport.
How Men Can Support Women in Taekwon-Do
1. Active Listening and Amplifying Women's Voices
Women already have a voice. True allyship starts with hearing what women say about their experiences, ambitions, and challenges. Research by Women in Sport (2023) highlights that men must actively listen to women's voices, rather than assume what they need (Women in Sport, 2023).
To implement this in Taekwon-Do:
Provide platforms for female athletes and coaches to share their perspectives, such as panel discussions, workshops, and leadership meetings.
Establish mentorship initiatives where experienced practitioners support female members, fostering growth and confidence.
Challenge conversations where men dominate discussions about women’s progress and instead encourage female-led dialogue.
2. Collaborative Coaching and Shared Decision-Making
Coaching should be a partnership. Men can work alongside female coaches, respecting their input and fostering an environment where their perspectives shape training and strategy. UK Coaching’s ‘Women Who Coach’ toolkit provides insights into empowering female coaches and promoting collaborative environments (UK Coaching, 2023).
In Taekwon-Do, this can be implemented by:
Encouraging more mixed-gender coaching teams, where male and female coaches work together rather than male-led coaching structures.
Ensuring that women are part of decision-making bodies within clubs and organisations, allowing their perspectives to directly influence policies and training structures.
Recognising that coaching should not be a one-size-fits-all model and instead tailoring training methods to the needs and experiences of female athletes.
3. Challenging Gender Biases in Taekwon-Do
Research shows that gender biases remain a major barrier in sports. The ‘How to Be a Male Ally to Women’s Sport’ report discusses ways men can challenge outdated perspectives and create a more inclusive sporting environment (Fearless Women, 2023).
Within Taekwon-Do, male allies can:
Educate themselves on unconscious biases and ensure their own behavior fosters inclusivity.
Challenge outdated gender roles that assume men should always be the stronger, more dominant fighters and that women need to be protected rather than empowered.
Implement policies that explicitly prohibit discriminatory practices and promote equal access to high-level training and competition.
4. Mentorship and Sponsorship
Offering mentorship and sponsorship to female athletes and coaches can provide them with opportunities to grow and excel in their careers. The ‘Resources on Male Allyship’ compiled by Women in Sport Aotearoa provides guidance on how men can actively support women through mentorship and professional development (Women in Sport Aotearoa, 2023).
In Taekwon-Do, this could involve:
Creating formal mentorship programs where senior male instructors actively support female practitioners and coaches in advancing their careers.
Encouraging men in leadership positions to sponsor and recommend women for higher-level coaching and referee roles.
Ensuring equal access to coaching certifications and opportunities for female practitioners, not for gender equality but ti recognise skills, experience and qualifications.
5. Help, Don’t Rescue
Support should not come from a place of saving women from challenges but rather helping remove barriers that shouldn’t be there in the first place. Women in Taekwon-Do don’t need to be “saved”—they need equal access, fair treatment, and genuine allyship.
The Importance of Allyship in Sports
True allyship and equality in Taekwon-Do isn’t about men giving women opportunities or leading the charge—it’s about walking alongside them, listening, supporting, and ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Women don’t need permission to succeed; they need genuine support, equal opportunities, and a space free from barriers and bias to thrive.
Research indicates that male allyship is crucial in advancing gender equality in sports. Women in Sport highlights that engaging men as allies can lead to more inclusive environments and better opportunities for women (Women in Sport, 2023).
Additionally, initiatives like 'Women Who Coach' by UK Coaching have highlighted the role of men in advocating for gender equality, demonstrating that when men actively support women's advancement, it leads to positive outcomes for entire communities (UK Coaching, 2023).
The progression of women in Taekwon-Do is not a task for men to control but a collaborative journey. By embracing true allyship—listening, supporting, and working with women—men can contribute to a more inclusive and empowering environment. This partnership not only benefits women but enriches the entire Taekwon-Do community, fostering growth, understanding, and mutual respect.
Who are the male allies in your Taekwon-Do journey? Tag them and let’s celebrate those championing change!
#WomenInTKD #Allyship #MartialArtsForAll #EqualityInSport #WorkWithNotOver #ListenAndSupport #Taekwondo
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