Assessing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of Women in Martial Arts and Combat Sports: A Systematic Review

This study presents a systematic review that aims to critically map Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in MACS, focusing on women’s experiences. We followed the PRISMA 2020 statement and collected data from 44 articles hosted on SportDiscus and Women Studies International Forum (EBSCO), Core Collection (Web of Science) and Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest) between June and October 2024. The findings show that women face multiple challenges related to traditional gender norms and unequal power relations, and yet intersecting factors such as religion and race. This review emphasizes the critical role of meaningful committed EDI initiatives in fostering inclusive environments that support women in MACS, which, despite the efforts of the martial-scholar community, are still missing. Systemic and institutional change should be pursued to women to thrive and social justice to reach wider settings. The intersectional framework provides this study with a unique foundation for institutional reforms and change in MACS.