Sport and Livelihoods of Young People in Suva, Fiji: A Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis
Date
2022
Authors
Evanson, Steven
Editors
Advisors
Wanner, Thomas
Siefken, Katja (Medical School Hamburg)
Siefken, Katja (Medical School Hamburg)
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Thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
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Abstract
At the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 the United Nations stated that sport is an ‘enabler’ for sustainable development. However, the ways in which sport can be used as an effective enabler for the SDGs needs further research. This thesis therefore explores how sport can be an ‘enabler’ of sustainable livelihoods for young people in Suva, Fiji. Firstly, the thesis will examine the current vulnerability context of young people who play sport in Suva, Fiji; Secondly, the thesis will examine how the structures and processes about sport and development impact on livelihood assets and vulnerability of young people. Thirdly, the thesis will assess whether or not sports assist in the livelihood outcomes and strategies of young people. Fourthly, the thesis will consider the impact of gender on the vulnerabilities and livelihood strategies in Fiji. Finally, this thesis will provide some policy suggestions on how sports governance could be improved to help young people in Fiji.
Results were analysed using the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) as a theoretical framework and indicated that the vulnerability context of young people is largely determined by their employment status, family relationships and peer pressure, and that sport is an avenue through which young Fijians can pursue the livelihood outcomes important to them, such as improving income and accumulating cultural capital / Vanua. While sport can enhance young people’s asset base, the extent to which young people benefit from sport largely depends on their gender with males having an advantage over females because of the opportunities to accumulate assets such as gaining employment within the Army or Navy. The significance of the thesis is that it highlights that sport can be an important ‘enabler’ of livelihoods for young people in Suva, Fiji but gender inequalities need to be addressed. Sport coaches and administrators, particularly those who are from overseas and have limited knowledge of international development, require greater awareness of gender inequality in society. Greater education would allow them to conduct sport administration in a manner that seeks to address the structural disadvantages of the ability of women to participate in sport.
Furthermore, the reform of sport in schools to place greater emphasis on inclusion instead of competitive sport is still required to enable sustainable and gender inclusive development. The role of the media is also another important factor for changing gender hierarchies in Fiji. Finally, this thesis reveals that there is a lack of integration of gender issues across government departments, and thus it is crucial that sport is situated within broader society and public policy, and utilises strategies including gender mainstreaming are implemented, which would result in pay parity in sports earnings, prize money and include a gendered balance in leadership positions.
School/Discipline
Adelaide Law School
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 2022
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