A major review project investigating gender equality in the Olympic Movement has been approved with the aim of producing “action-oriented recommendations for change.”
The project, approved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board during their meeting here, aims to raise continued awareness of the “importance of gender equality within the Olympic Movement.”
It will “also share best practices and present initiatives to further advance gender equality both on and off the field of play.”
The project is a joint initiative of the IOC’s Women in Sport and Athletes’ Commissions.
“The IOC is taking a leadership role in the world of sport to push gender equality globally and effect real change,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“The outcomes from this Gender Equality Review Project will benefit the IOC, all International Sports Federations and National Olympic Committees, as well as all the athletes of the Olympic Games.
“It will also be a further tangible outcome of Olympic Agenda 2020.”
Five “essential themes” will be assessed.
These are “sport,” “portrayal,” “funding,” “governance” and “human resources.”
A working group chaired by IOC member and Spain’s International Triathlon Union President Marisol Casado will oversee the project.
“By having the IOC, the IFs (International Federations) and the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) working together on this project, we will share best practices as well as address the obstacles facing gender equality in sport to produce solutions,” said Casado.
“I am confident our recommendations will make significant advancements.”
The Gender Equality Project Working Group will develop recommendations and guidelines and report its findings to the IOC’s Women in Sport and Athletes’ Commissions.
Final recommendations are due to be presented to the IOC Executive Board later this year.
At present, Casado and Britain’s World Curling Federation head Kate Caithness are the only female Presidents representing any of the 40 sports currently on the Summer or Winter Olympic program.
By Nick Butler
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.