2023 was a transitional year for WomenSport International (WSI). Our new Board of Directors hails from nine different countries and represents all five regions of the globe. It’s laden with expertise and experience in improving sports opportunities for women and girls. Our first 2024 initiative will be to review and develop a new four-year WSI strategy that focuses on member-driven priorities and issues. It will be ready by the end of March. Please feel free to email your suggestions to info@womensportinternational.org.
WSI continues to prioritize the Global Observatory for Gender Equality and Sport (GO), in partnership with the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW) and the International Working Group for Women in Sport (IWG). We were invited to attend a planning meeting co-hosted by the GO and UNESCO, entitled “Monitoring Progress on Gender Equality, Girls, Women, Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport” (Nov. 27-29). Collectively, we advised the GO secretariat about indicators that could be used internationally to monitor the status of gender equality at all levels, helping governments and institutions reach their goals.
Safeguarding and reducing violence against girls and women in sport is a key WSI focus. This year, Board members Kari Fasting and Margo Mountjoy were part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) working group, creating a statement on safeguarding. When finalized, it will appear on the IOC web site. This is particularly timely as the 2024 Olympics are coming up in Paris, France (July 26-August 11).The statement also dovetails with the IOC’s $10 million USD commitment toward safeguarding over the next three years.
WSI is also promoting the principles of UNESCO’s new Fit for Life program. We have provided advice on its Theory of Change and look forward to seeing how the data reflects Fit for Life’s impact in the years to come.
2023 was another special year for Kari Fasting and Carole Oglesby, who both earned recognition for their achievements. Kari got the King of Norway’s highest citizen award for her contributions to improving women’s lives in Norway and worldwide. Carole was honoured by the Council of Europe at for her lifetime contribution to women’s sports during November’s Gender Equality in Sport Conference in Spain.
Overall, it was an interesting year for women in sport. The FIFA Women’s World Cup ended with an unwanted kiss witnessed by the world, including strong young women fighting for equitable pay and access to sport. It shows we still have work to do to improve the sport ecosystem.
WSI thanks Concept2 for their fundraising efforts as we strive to build a safer, more accessible sport sector. We are also happy to acknowledge Deloitte’s support.
On behalf of the WSI Board, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season, with hopes for peace in wartorn areas in 2024. Let us keep on using sport to make the world a better place.
Diane Huffman
President, WomenSport International
