WomenSport International (WSI) is privileged to have within its midst the leadership, commitment and passion of dedicated women who have been instrumental in building awareness, changing the mindset of political leaders around the world and supporting the global sport community in advancing opportunities for women to participate in a fair, safe and equitable sport environment.
Happy International Women’s Day!
March 2021
Video Message from WSI Board Members
(Closed Captions is available. Please click CC in the video.)
This year’s International Women’s Day theme “ChooseToChallenge“, infers a time to reflect and take responsibility for our own actions toward gender equality.
WomenSport International (WSI) is privileged to have within its midst the leadership, commitment and passion of dedicated women who have been instrumental in building awareness, changing the mindset of political leaders around the world and supporting the global sport community in advancing opportunities for women to participate in a fair, safe and equitable sport environment.
As the President of WSI, I want to thank the members of the WSI Board for their selfless efforts in building a vibrant women’s advocacy organization aimed for all women in sport. I wish to especially recognize Dr. Carole Oglesby (USA), Dr. Kari Fasting, (Norway) Dr. Gretchen Kerr (Canada) and Dr. Stiliani ‘Ani’ Chroni (Norway) for their long-standing efforts and influence in contributing to opportunities for the growth and development of women in sport. Their research, advocacy and activism continue to impact policy and strategic directions in empowering women in sport globally, with for example the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee, and locally as their actions cascade to effect national and local change within the sport sector. They continue in their life-long commitment to be innovative and inspiring role models striving for women’s equity in sport.
One of the secrets to the success for WSI is working collectively toward change. As Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” We therefore want to thank our many partners in assisting us in moving forward the gender equity challenge. Special mention goes to the International Women Group for Women in Sport (IWG), the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM), the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW), International Council for Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), Safe Sport International (SSI), and the Women Sport Foundation US (WSF).
The disappointments of the Covid-19 pandemic, over the last year, with the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 to the summer of 2021, the lack of access to training facilities and competitions, the overall increase in violence and reduction in opportunities for women has had an impact on all of us, contributing to feelings of isolation, loneliness and in some cases depression. WSI recognizes and asks that we celebrate all women in sport, particularly our athletes, coaches, as we continue to work toward increasing awareness and move toward positive and inclusive change for women around the world.
Understand, there is still a need worldwide for more progressive mindsets and inclusive behaviors to be forged. WSI challenges you to take action toward women’s equality to ensure there is continued positive gains and not to let the pandemic move us backward. In challenging you, we are asking that you send us what you are doing or are pledging to do. WSI will keep account of your commitments and stories and highlight some in our newsletters and other social media forums. Please send via info@womensportinternational.org.
Diane Huffman, President WomenSport International