Legislation and Policy

National Laws and Key Policies on Gender Equality in Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport

 

South Africa

South Africa is strongly committed to promoting gender equality in sports. This commitment is guided by its National Development Plan and a comprehensive National Policy Framework for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality.

The country has adopted the National Policy on Women in Sport Framework to address historical inequalities. This framework focuses on strategic priorities such as increasing participation and excellence, developing female coaches and officials, ensuring leadership and governance roles for women, and enhancing their visibility. The National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) serves as the implementation blueprint for these efforts, prioritizing greater access and transformation for women and other underrepresented groups within sport and recreation.

International Policy Frameworks – South Africa

The GO Policy Mapping initiative looks at a set of international policy frameworks that apply across all countries. This table zooms in on South Africa, showing whether it has joined each framework, if legal obligations are attached, and which organisation is framework holder.

You can sort the columns to view the information in different ways. For the full list of frameworks visit Frameworks site.

Directory of National Laws and Key Institutions – South Africa

Browse or quickly find relevant national legislation, strategy, or action plan using the search and filter options. You can filter entries based on country, themes and impact area or search using keywords to locate specific document. Discover South African national laws and key policies on gender equality & sport with just a few clicks! 

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Policy Type Policy Policy Authority Year Enacted Impact Areas website
6 miriam 27/09/2025 06:29 PM miriam 27/09/2025 06:29 PM Legislation National Sport And Recreation Act 110 Of 1998 Sports Commission, government ministries, departments, provinces, local authorities, Minister responsible for Sport and Recreation, national and recreation federations 1998 Sport, Physical Education https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a110-98.pdf
7 Policy Women In Sport (Women United In Advancing Development And Prosperity For All) Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), provincial departments of Sport, Arts and Culture, sport federations, SASCOC, sport and recreation entities. 2023 Sport, Physical Activity, Physical Education https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202304/48449gen1756_1.pdf
8 Strategy Strategic Plan 2020 - 2025 Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Public entities associated with DSAC 2020 Sport https://www.dsac.gov.za/sites/default/files/2022-10/Strategic%20Plan%202020%20-%202025.pdf
9 Strategy National Sport And Recreation Plan (Draft 20) SRSA (Sport and Recreation South Africa), Provincial Government, Local Government, SASCOC (South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee), National Federations, Department of Basic Education (DBE) 2011 Sport https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/nasional-sport-and-recretion-plan-draft-200.pdf
10 Legislation National Sport And Recreation Amendment Act 18 Of 2007 Minister responsible for Sport and Recreation, Sport Confederation, Sport and Recreation South Africa 2007 Sport https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a18-07ocr.pdf
11 Legislation South African Sports Commission Act 109 Of 1998 [Repealed] The South African Sports Commission, the Minister of Sport and Recreation 1998 Sport https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/a109-98.pdf
Policy Type Year Enacted Impact Areas

Data Statement

The information presented in this country profile has been collected by the GO from publicly available sources. The data is then reviewed by the members of the GO network. Dates of data collection and review are indicated below and updated on an ongoing basis.

  • Data collected: August 2025

  • Data review: In progress

If you notice any gaps or errors in the existing data, don’t hesitate to contact us at data@genderequalitysport.org.