The WomenSport International (WSI) Presdent, Diane Huffman and the Emeritus Director, Dr. Carole Oglesby released the statement on the Revision of the UNESCO Charter on Physical Education and Sport, The Kazan Action Plan especially Action 4, The launch of the Global Observatory and now, Fit4Life.
June 29, 2023
Honorable Ministers
UNESCO leadership esp Sport and Fit4Life
Distinguished Stakeholders, Observers and delegations
Since its founding, WomenSport International has been a leading and progressive voice of the international women’s sport advocacy organizations. We have inhabited, and lead, work on behalf of the opening of sport for girls and women in all their diversity since our formation.
Founding members of WSI attended the Beijing Women’s Conference and were instrumental in the addition of three references to women in sport and physical activity in the Beijing platform for Action.
We have celebrated with you recent milestones such as the Revision of the UNESCO Charter on Physical Education and Sport, The Kazan Action Plan especially Action 4, The launch of the Global Observatory and now, Fit4Life.
Our organization is rich in human capacity in research, management, and most especially the delicate balance required for the opening of doors to new roles and opportunities for girls and women in regions, countries, and times with strict barriers to such openings. We have the research background and cultural awareness of gender discrimination processes and the psycho-social training to utilize gender equitable sport and physical activity to end practices and traditions such as early marriage, restrictions on girls to enter school or play sports, and all forms of gender violence.
In celebration of the achievements of the launch of the Global Observatory, Fit4Life and the Gender Equity Game Plan, we promise our passionate commitment to utilize all our human and other resources to advance these initiatives. We look forward to collaborative dialogue with many partners to make our promise specific and concrete.
Diane Huffman, WomenSport International President
Carole Oglesby, WomenSport International Emeritus Director