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In a world still marked by sexism and early female dropouts, some women are choosing single-sex spaces in sports to train together. Far from just performance, these spaces become places of trust, freedom, and sometimes, of rebuilding.

On a Tuesday in February in Rennes, Brittany, about fifteen female runners wait on the pretty Saint-Germain square. The streetlights have just come on. Some wear socks or T-shirts with the logo of Run VNR, the name of their single-sex training group, without cisgender men.

It is 6:30 pm. A time when many no longer dared to run, or only with some apprehension. This was the case for Vicky Fiquet, who founded Run VNR in 2022. “I realized that I was running less in winter, and it wasn’t because I didn’t want to,” she explains. “Instead of joining a traditional training group, I quickly wanted to choose single-sex training. Like I had experienced in other community activities, such as singing or radio, I had realized that I felt better in this format, more comfortable, freer.”

“Domination report”

Physical aggressions, verbal violence, paternalism: sexism takes various forms in sports, like elsewhere. “When I received unsolicited encouragement, like ‘Go ahead, you can do it!,’ I felt like I must have looked like I was struggling,” recalls the 30-year-old woman from Rennes. “But today, I have broken free from this dominance. Yes, we are strong, and we do not need men to encourage us!”

Being called “chick” or enduring “drague” mix-ups did not please this communication officer either, as she stretched her legs along the edge of the Vilaine, a bucolic but sometimes worrying setting at nightfall.

Similar to Run VNR, initiatives of single-sex spaces in sports or chosen single-sex settings have multiplied in recent years: swimming slots, women-only gyms, or running collectives for girls.

For most, separating from men is not the goal in itself. It is a way to reclaim practices shaped by men. At Run VNR, performance is not part of the project. “Often, when we want to join a mixed club, they ask for our times,” says Vicky Fiquet. “This is not the case with us. In fact, when a female runner is at the back, we wait for her.”

“Body specificities”

According to French sociologist Haifa Tlili, single-sex environments can offer a caring environment. They promote a practice less focused on competition, where one takes the time to learn and test disciplines without fearing the boys’ judgment.

Presented in mid-January, a study by the MGEN (Mutuelle Générale de l’Éducation Nationale) highlights a persistent inequality. It reveals that 45.2% of teenage girls give up sports regardless of their will.

For over two-thirds of the respondents, the lack of consideration for female body specificities, especially related to puberty changes, explains this abandonment.

In this context, single-sex spaces can be a lever towards greater equality. “Women do not do sports like men,” says Valérie Domain, founder of Ablock!. She describes it as a breathing space, where a form of sisterhood can develop.

Single-sex settings are not always the panacea. They can also perpetuate certain stereotypes. “Some female athletes do not appreciate this framework,” notes Haifa Tlili.

“Adapting practices”

The sports world remains predominantly male, especially among coaches and leaders. “Today, I see parents wondering if the supervision includes a woman,” notes Jessika Guehaseim.

Faced with this reality, Haifa Tlili advocates for dialogue to adapt practices. “Single-sex or not, the important thing is to develop spaces that respect women’s needs.”

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[Context: This article discusses the trend of women choosing to train in single-sex spaces in sports due to various issues like sexism, lack of equality, and uncomfortable experiences in mixed-gender environments. These spaces provide a sense of safety, freedom, and empowerment for women to engage in physical activities.]

[Fact Check: The article mentions the creation of Run VNR in 2022, but this may be an error, as the year mentioned does not align with the context of the article discussing the trend of women choosing single-sex spaces in sports.]