Course Content
6 — Framework for gender mainstreaming in coach education

Self-Assessment Checklist for Institutions

To support institutions in identifying where they stand and what steps they might take, this framework offers a self-assessment tool. The checklist is intended to stimulate internal dialogue, guide planning, and surface both strengths and gaps in gender responsiveness. It can be used periodically to track change, as a requirement in internal evaluations, or as part of an accreditation or quality assurance process.

Some of the key questions an institution should ask itself include:

  • Does our leadership actively and publicly support gender equality in coaching education?
  • Do we have a written policy or strategy that addresses gender mainstreaming?
  • Are women equitably represented in leadership, teaching, and curriculum development roles?
  • Are our course materials free of gender bias and inclusive of different coaching pathways and identities?
  • Do we offer training and support to staff on gender-sensitive practices?
  • Have we conducted a gender audit or equity review within the last three years?
  • Do we gather and use sex-disaggregated data in our planning and evaluations?
  • Do our recruitment and admission procedures include measures to improve gender balance?
  • Are safe reporting mechanisms in place for incidents of harassment or discrimination?
  • Do we collaborate with women’s sports networks or gender advocacy organizations?

The checklist is not about perfection, but about progress. Institutions are encouraged to use their responses as a foundation for planning, set specific and time-bound goals, and revisit the checklist regularly. When used in this way, the self-assessment becomes not just a diagnostic tool, but a driver of real institutional change.

In addition to the checklist provided above, institutions may also benefit from using the “Gender Equity Assessment Tool” by Ann Murray-Brown (2019), which assesses equity across five dimensions: Access, Participation, Resources, Benefits, and Decision-making. Each domain is rated from 1 (no equity) to 5 (full equity). This method provides a quick visual overview of institutional gender dynamics and can support structured reflection and reporting.

Figure 1. Gender Equity Assessment Rubric adapted from Murray-Brown (2019), used to self-assess institutional equity across five dimensions.

Source: Murray-Brown, A.M. (2019). Useful tool to assess gender equity: WHO Gender Responsive Assessment Scale: Criteria for assessing programmes and policies https://www.annmurraybrown.com/single-post/useful-tool-to-assess-gender-equity