Thimphu, Bhutan, July 20, 2025: The Bhutan Olympic Committee is holding a two-day Safeguarding Workshop in collaboration with the Gender Equity Commission and supported by Olympic Solidarity.
The workshop’s theme is "Creating a Safe Sporting Environment for All" and its aim is to send a clear and powerful message that the safety and dignity of every athlete will remain at the core of Bhutan’s sporting future.
The workshop, on July 19-20, has drawn 15 representatives from major sports federations, including athletics, basketball, tennis, judo, Paralympics, baseball and softball, table tennis, cricket, volleyball and shooting.
Coaches, managers and administrators who play a critical role in shaping the environment where athletes train and compete are attending. The programme addresses both leadership and athlete perspectives.
Ms. Sonam Yangchen, Chair of the BOC’s Gender Equity Commission, opened the workshop, saying: “Prevention is the cornerstone of safe sport. True protection is proactive. It starts with education, with open conversations and with the courage to challenge harmful norms.
"Every coach, every official, every parent must take ownership. We must create a sporting culture where silence is never an option, where speaking up is seen as strength and where every athlete feels they belong in a safe and respectful space.”
She was joined by Tshering Penjor and Tshering Wangmo, both IOC-certified safeguarding officers, who are conducting sessions.
Significantly, this is not a one-off event. Each participating federation has committed to conducting at least two safeguarding programmes by the end of the year, ensuring the lessons learned here ripple out into every team and community.
