WSI Emeritus Director, Dr. Carole Oglesby, spoke at the EU International Conference on Gender Equality in Sport (November 14-15, 2023) in Madrid Spain. The conference brought together experts from across Europe to discuss the current state of gender equality in sport, as well as ways to promote greater equality in the future.
November 14-15, 2023 Madrid Spain
Dr. Carole Oglesby, Emeritus, WSI Board of Directors, honored at the International Conference on Gender Equality in Sport. The conference brought together experts from across Europe to discuss the current state of gender equality in sport, as well as ways to promote greater equality in the future.
Click here to view the short video from the ceremony.
Below is the article from IWG Women and Sport about the event. (The link to the original article)
“While our Sec Gen Lisa O’Keefe was representing the IWG at the IF Forum in Lausanne, our Chair Annamarie Phelps CBE OLY attended two gender equality events in Madrid.
On Monday 13 November, the Equality Within Sport (EWS) Committee from the European Sports NGO (ENGSO) co-ordinated a meeting of European Gender Equality bodies. Attended by representatives from international organisations including Council of Europe’s Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, International Federation of Sports Officials (IFSO), EU Commission Sport Unit, ENGSO, European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), Global Observatory (GO), IWG and the European Olympic Committee (EOC), the discussion led to the agreement in principle of the following:
To strengthen the European-level network of organisations working towards gender equality
To identify and fill gaps in the network in particular geographic areas
To commit to sharing data and expertise
To co-ordinate events relating to gender equality
To increase collaboration and co-operation between network members
To work together to support a successful IWG conference in Birmingham in 2026.
Following on from this meeting, Annamarie was a delegate at the ‘International Conference on Gender Equality in Sport’ hosted by the Council of Europe, taking place from 14 – 15 November.”
“Reflecting on the two events, Annamarie said: “This was a hugely successful and productive three days in Madrid. The meeting convened by ENGSO produced some very positive outcomes not just for IWG, but for women and girls in sport across Europe. There was distinct support from colleagues across the bodies for the IWG which was brilliant, and we are looking forward to working with them over the coming years.”
“The Council of Europe conference which followed had an underlying rebellious feel to it, with demands for more political commitment in pushing for positive and expedited action. From the beginning, Emine Bozurt, Chair of the European Commission’s High-Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport, incited the delegates not to settle for moderate aspirations, encouraging the entire audience to chant – “we want more!” This energy carried through to the final session, where Victor Francos, president of the Supreme Council for Sports, pushed for the removal of sugar-coating from the demands for equality, and to call out those blocking progress as misogynists.”
“The conference covered a number of themes ranging from addressing the stereotyping of children at a young age, to re-thinking the values and structure of sport with a gender lens, to the role and the power of the media in creating a positive difference – and plenty more in between.”
“I was particularly impressed by the commitment from the Minister of Culture and Sport from Spain, Miquel Iceta, for his impassioned and honest speech about the need for change, in the wake of the embarrassment caused by the World Cup ‘kiss’. I also enjoyed hearing from Astrid Rodriguez, the Minister of Sports for Colombia give her insights on how sport can contribute to civil society through values.””