Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, April 15, 2025: The two-day OCA Gender Equity Seminar 2025 came to a conclusion at the Empire Brunei on Tuesday afternoon with a four-point Call to Action for the OCA.
The Chair of the OCA Gender Equity Committee, Valerie Tarazi, announced the Call to Action following two days of presentations, panel discussions, National Olympic Committee best practices and breakout workshops.
The four key points were:
*Continue prioritizing gender equity in the next cycle
*Provide sufficient support systems and resources to assist NOCs in advancing gender equity efforts
*Create specialized training programs for women leaders, coaches and International Technical Officials in Asia
*Incorporate gender equity initiatives into the Asian Games.
There were also four points for NOCs – integrating gender equity into all activities, creating a safe and inclusive environment, aiming for 30 per cent female participation and to strengthen the presence of women in leadership roles.
Chair Tarazi admitted she was “proud and honoured” to chair this seminar, and said she was “fascinated and so impressed with everything we have done”.
“We can set the standard across the globe. We are here to guide you and point you in the right direction. Let’s create the way so we can ‘Watch Her Shine’,” she added.
This second OCA Gender Equity Seminar, following the inaugural edition in Bahrain in 2022, carried the theme “Watch Her Shine”, with the SHINE depicting Strength, Hope, Inspiration, Next generation and Empower.
Chair Tarazi had special thanks and praise for the support of the President of Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, His Royal Highness Prince Sufri Bolkiah.
IOC Executive Board member and Jordan Olympic Committee President HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein provided the closing remarks, stressing: “Gender equity is not an option, it is a necessity. Together we can work to make changes happen. Ignorance is no longer an excuse.”
The seminar attracted 95 participants, including representatives of 43 NOCs, and involved 19 speakers, panelists and moderators.
All the participants received the OCA certificate of appreciation signed by the OCA Director General, Husain Al Musallam.
