Monaco, March 8, 2023: World Athletics will take a significant number of new steps towards gender equity in track and field in 2023, including 40% female representation on the World Athletics Council.
These steps are outlined in a series of new and impactful pledges published in celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8.
The steps include implementing individual safeguarding policies in each of World Athletics’ 214 Member Federations, and the extension of the Ukraine Solidarity Fund – enabling dozens of female Ukrainian athletes to take part in World Athletics Series events. The main steps are:
• World Athletics Council set to have 40% female representation including at least one female Vice President in 2023
• Target of 40% female participants taking our online courses as part of a learning pipeline for future sports administrators
• World Athletics to expand its research into representation of female athletes across various media channels
• 214 Member Federations across the globe to implement individual safeguarding policies by end of 2023
• World Athletics committed to repeating Ukraine Solidarity Fund to enable Ukrainian athletes to participate in World Athletics Series events in 2023
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “I am immensely proud that World Athletics is once again leading the way for gender equity in sport. It was an important part of the reforms we introduced in 2016.
“In today’s world, it is not enough to provide equal opportunity; we must provide equity. In order to achieve true equity in our sport, it is important that we offer our female athletes, administrators and officials the tools and environment they need to be empowered to pursue careers at all levels of athletics.”
Source: World Athletics