Gender equality must be mainstreamed into every level of the sports industry, as simply ensuring women’s participation in sport is not enough, agreed speakers during the Women in Sport Forum at Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday.
Jointly hosted by the Women’s Pavilion and the Australia Pavilion, athletes, government leaders and non-profits, gathered at the Nexus for People and Planet to highlight the need to ensure women are empowered and have equal access to opportunities.
Speaking virtually about the power of representation, Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the US, who is a Member of the International Olympic Committee and was the first woman in the Kingdom to lead a federation covering sporting activities for men and women, said: “It’s not just about women becoming athletes, but an integral part of the ecosystem, as sports managers, scientists and therapists, marketers and other endless opportunities… Women don’t only have the opportunity to participate, but to lead.
“The power of sports is universal. It supports a healthy lifestyle and in turn creates healthy and vibrant societies. The impact can be transformative… and for it to be sustained, we must be fully committed to promoting gender equality and providing access to young girls and women to become a part of the ecosystem.”
Christine Clarke CSC, Ambassador for Women and Girls, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, said: “Sportswomen have had a hugely successful few years, alongside the burgeoning interest from the general public… However, progress away from the field of play has not always kept pace with the performance of our women and girls. It is vital that we continue to bring stakeholders together in forums such as this to shine a spotlight on areas that require work from the international community.”
The consensus on equality and access at all levels is not enough, said Hind Alowais, Senior Vice President, Participant Management, Expo 2020 Dubai, who highlighted the need to tackle women’s involvement from all angles: “We have to make sure we tackle biases and address harmful stereotypes that are still perpetuated in sports… and our commitment is not just by talking about it. Our commitment is by doing it.”
Among the speakers was rugby trailblazer Cathy Neap, Country Manager at National Rugby League in Papua New Guinea, who shared her journey from supplying water and providing assistance in men’s rugby at a time when opportunities for women in the sport were limited, to using her skill set and passion to rise through the ranks against all odds.
The event, which is available for viewing on Virtual Expo, also features discussions on championing the hosting of women’s sports events and the wider benefits they bring; the social impact of sports on women and girls, and spotlights on women in leadership roles across the sector.
The Forum takes places as Expo 2020 Dubai prepares for full day and night of rich programming for International Women’s Day on 8 March, gathering world leaders in politics, business, technology and culture, under the 2022 theme of #BreakTheBias, which values differences and imagines a gender-equal world, free of stereotypes and discrimination. Visitors can find out more and register online here.
