FISU session show the world how sport benefits from women

“Women are so essential, they have the traits to build, and this will help FISU and the sports to grow.” These are the words of Irina Gladkikh, Associate Director of Winter and Recognized Sports and IF Relations of the International Olympic Committee.

This was a key statement at the FISU Gender Equality Roundtable session, an initiative that has been at every edition of the FISU World University Games since Shenzhen 2011. These roundtables are organised at both, summer, and winter editions, to engage members and promote discussion about gender equality in sport and give a voice to women.

Gladkikh – also a representative for the International Olympic Committee – later noted, “Women need to step up to show that they are capable of doing it. I appreciate the opportunity to join the panel.”

International experts, senior members from the university sports movement, and student-athletes were invited to take part in these discussions. Present at the session were Leonz Eder, FISU Acting President, Rosaura Mendez, FISU EC member and Chair of the Gender Equality Committee, Lilia Barieva, FISU Education and Culture Director, Agnes Ancic Valkai, and Dong Jinxia among others.

“Sports is something that helps to show the world the qualities of both genders. This is something we need to think about and keep working on. I have so many expectations since I have witnessed already [that] the young generations can break barriers in different sports,” Gladkikh advised FISU members.

But of course, to help women, international federations need to take serious steps. “Decision-making bodies should implement initiatives to grow the pool of women eligible to be elected for IF and NF Board positions, such as leadership development programs, mentorship programs, and inclusive leadership training programs,” Gladkikh said.

She then continued, “Federations should also support career transitions for female athletes to transform them into sports administrators. Amend statutes to ensure equal gender representation on executive boards, commissions, and working groups, as well as among General Assembly and Congress delegates”.

It was also noted that the 8th FISU Gender Equality Awards are currently open for submissions. The awards, first given in 2009, are intended to boost the visibility of individuals and initiatives that increase the participation of women, non-binary people, and transgender people in sport, whether as athletes or in other capacities.

WRITTEN BY hassan Abdulsalam, FISU YOUNG REPORTER