Director-General's remarks at the side event on “Empowering Women and Girls in and through Sport - From Words to Deeds”

Side event on “Empowering Women and Girls in and through Sport - From Words to Deeds”

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 at 11.00 a.m.
Room XVI, Palais des Nations

Your Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, 
Your Excellency Mrs. Maryam Ali Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation, 
Your Excellency Ambassador Al-Muftah,  
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a real pleasure to join you today for this side event on “Empowering Women and Girls in and through Sport- From Words to Deeds”. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Permanent Mission of Qatar, the Qatar Foundation, Qatar Sports Investments, the Qatar Olympic Committee and the International Centre for Sport Security for convening this important and timely discussion.  

The adoption, almost a year ago by the Human Rights Council of resolution 59/17 on “Empowering women and girls in and through sport” was an important milestone. It underscored the unique and transformative role that sport can play in advancing the rights of women and girls. Crucially, it affirms that access to sport is not merely about participation, but about equality, inclusion, and empowerment — ensuring that women and girls are able to engage fully, safely, and meaningfully at every level, from grassroots initiatives to international competitions and decision-making bodies.

More broadly, the place of women in sport reflects their position in society. The inequalities observed on the field often mirror those in other spheres, including diplomacy, governance, and leadership. While important progress has been made, women remain underrepresented in key decision-making spaces, where priorities are defined and resources are allocated. Strengthening the participation of women and girls in sport, therefore, contributes to a wider movement — one that seeks to ensure that their voices are equally heard, their leadership fully recognized, and their contributions valued across all sectors of society. In this sense, sport serves both as a mirror of existing disparities and as a powerful lever for change.

When inclusion is prioritized, the impact goes far beyond the field of play. It contributes to healthier communities, strengthens social cohesion, and advances broader development objectives. In short, sport can act as a catalyst for meaningful social transformation, supporting progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Translating this vision into reality calls for practical and coordinated measures. Governments, sports organizations, and civil society all have important roles to play in shaping inclusive policies, investing in accessible infrastructure, and supporting initiatives that widen access and opportunities for women and girls. Equally important is the sharing of experiences and good practices, enabling successful approaches to be adapted and replicated across different contexts.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we look ahead, the task before us is clear: to ensure that sport becomes a space where equality is not an aspiration, but a lived reality. By working together, sharing knowledge, and supporting innovative and inclusive solutions, we can move closer to a world in which every woman and girl has the opportunity to participate, to lead, and to thrive through sport.

Thank you.