UN Women partner with International Olympic Committee to advance gender equality

 
UN Women and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have signed a partnership agreement which will promote women’s empowerment through sports. On behalf of UN Women, Executive Director Michelle Bachelet signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Committee, represented by its President, Dr. Jacques Rogge. The partnership lays the groundwork for future collaborations to promote sport as an empowerment tool for women.

In promoting and advocating for sport and healthy lifestyles internationally, the IOC has long held that sport can contribute to building the psychological well-being, leadership capacity and empowerment of girls and women, while enhancing their roles and integration in society. Its aim to promote women in and through sport at all levels aligns with the principles and work of UN Women, in its work to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide.

Through this partnership, IOC and UN Women will join efforts within their respective mandates, to promote the participation of women in sport and physical activity, and advance gender equality and sustainable development in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

The two organizations have agreed to form a Follow-up Group which, through regular meetings, will define, develop and maintain a programme of international cooperation and implement activities of common interest. The partnership will strengthen IOC and UN Women efforts to encourage advocacy, education and field-level activities at country levels in collaboration with their national and regional networks.

The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), based in Geneva and supported by a Liaison Office in New York, provides the entry point to the United Nations system with regard to Sport for Development and Peace, bringing the worlds of sport and development closer together.

The Office assists the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace in his worldwide activities as an advocate, facilitator and representative of sports’ social impact in a development context.