E-Sports
Breaking the Barriers: Why Women are Underrepresented in Indian Esports
-By Zeeshan Akhtar
Over the last decade, esports have become one of the most popular and rapidly growing forms of entertainment worldwide. However, there is a noticeable gender disparity in this field, especially in India, where women are underrepresented in esports, particularly in first-person shooter (FPS) games like Valorant and Counter Strike.
According to a report by the Esports Federation of India (ESFI), only 10% of esports players in India are female, and most of them participate in games like Dota 2 and FIFA. In contrast, the gender ratio is much more balanced in Europe and America, where around 30% of esports players are women.
According to Statista, in 2020, women made up 30% of esports viewership in Europe and 35% in the US. This is reflected in the competitive scene where there are women-only tournaments and female players competing at the highest level. In contrast, the number of women esports players in India is negligible, especially when it comes to FPS games like Valorant.
One reason for this disparity could be attributed to social factors, which still consider gaming to be a male-dominated activity. The general perception of esports in India is that it is not a viable career option for women. Families often discourage girls from playing video games, considering it to be a waste of time, and instead push them towards more 'feminine' activities. This attitude results in girls missing out on the opportunity to explore their interests in esports and ultimately pursue it as a career.
Apart from this, another social factor that plays a significant role in the underrepresentation of women in esports is the prevalence of sexism and harassment in the gaming community. Female players often report experiencing sexist remarks, derogatory comments, and unsolicited advances from male gamers, leading to an unwelcoming and hostile environment. This harassment is a deterrent for women who are considering a career in esports, causing them to avoid competitive gaming altogether.
These factors, combined with the lack of exposure and infrastructure, create a challenging environment for women to break into esports in India. Female gamers have to work harder to make a name for themselves in the industry, and even then, they receive less recognition and support than their male counterparts.
Sakshi Malik, a professional gamer who has played several tournaments in Valorant, expressed her frustration over the lack of opportunities for women in esports on her social media handle. "It is tough for us female gamers to make a name for ourselves in the industry. There are very few opportunities for us, and we have to work twice as hard as men to get recognition. It is not easy to compete against the top male players, who have been playing these games for years," she said.
While the situation may seem dire, there is hope for change. The gaming industry is slowly recognizing the gender disparity and making efforts to create a more inclusive environment for female gamers. Companies are creating safe spaces for women to play and compete, and there are efforts to increase female representation in esports through scholarship programs and other initiatives.
In conclusion, the gender disparity in esports, especially in FPS games like Valorant, is a reflection of the wider social attitudes towards women and their role in the gaming industry. The lack of opportunities and infrastructure, combined with the prevalence of sexism and harassment, creates a challenging environment for women to break into esports in India. However, the industry is slowly recognizing the issue and taking steps towards creating a more inclusive environment. It is crucial for the gaming community to support and encourage female gamers to pursue their interests and make esports a more inclusive industry.
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