ABC’s James Oaten explores gender pay gaps in global sports on Foreign Correspondent.
In a groundbreaking episode of Foreign Correspondent, ABC will delve into the global push for equality in sports pay, spotlighting female athletes’ fight for recognition and parity with their male counterparts. The program will air on Thursday 18 April at 8.00pm on ABC and ABC iview.
This week, ABC’s North Asia correspondent James Oaten travels to Japan to examine the traditional sport of sumo wrestling, which is currently confronting its deeply ingrained customs to potentially integrate female competitors equally.
Sumo wrestling, known for its secretive nature and restricted access to outsiders and media, presents a unique backdrop for discussions on gender equality in sports.
“In Japan, the ancient sport of sumo is wrestling with how to accept women competitors on an equal footing, challenging deeply held customs and traditions,” said Oaten.
During the episode, Oaten is granted exceptional access to a sumo stable, providing viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the sport. This rare insight helps to illuminate the strong resistance to change within the world of sumo, despite the growing demand for gender equality in sports globally.
“The world of sumo can be a secretive one, off limits to outsiders and the media. But I am given a rare opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes in the sumo stable and to understand why there is such strong resistance to change,” Oaten reveals.
Foreign Correspondent on ABC explores the challenging journey female athletes face in achieving pay equality, through the lens of one of Japan’s most ancient and revered sports.
