First ICESCO forum “Women in Sport” calls for strengthening women’s leadership in sport

The first Forum on “Women in Sport”, initiated by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held in in Rabat was attended by high-level officials and internationally renowned champions in various sports who unanimously agreed on the importance of strengthening women’s participation in sports and encouraging girls to become leaders in this sector as it plays an important role in achieving social cohesion, combating violence and extremism and supporting vulnerable categories.

The Forum was meant to encourage women’s participation, enhance the role of women’s leadership in sport, promote the exchange of experiences and highlight the role of sport in social development, peacebuilding and the fight against all forms of violence, said Head of ICESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye.

ICESCO Director-General Salim AlMalik emphasized that enabling girls to participate in sports is a social responsibility, stressing that the Organization’s vision considers sport as a powerful tool for positive change and for building peace and security. He added that sport-related modules have been integrated into ICESCO’s “Peace 360” approach and the Youth and Women Leadership Training in Peace and Security Program (LTIPS).

He also highlighted the huge participation in the first edition of ICESCO Marathon and commended the role of the Organization’s program for the rehabilitation of children in vulnerable situations through relying on football in strengthening the protection of children, providing them with educational opportunities and combating violence.

The ICESCO Director General announced that ICESCO has dedicated an award to the most innovative and inclusive community sports initiatives, which aim to support research and awareness efforts in sports. He also announced the Organization’s intention to launch its International Youth Sports Volunteer Program.

Moroccan Minister of National Education and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, who took part in the forum stressed that sport is a cornerstone in building society and training productive individuals. He reviewed the efforts of the Kingdom in encouraging women’s sports activities, stressing that the interest in women’s sports stems from its importance in achieving the objectives of sustainable development, the consolidation of social progress, the promotion of the values of peace, respect for others and tolerance as well as the fight against all forms of gender-based violence.

In this sense, the Minister recalled the creation in 2010 of the National Network for the Promotion of Women’s Sport which was renamed in 2011, “National Committee for the Promotion of Women’s Sport” whose purpose is to organize and promote activities and programs dedicated to women’s sports, especially in rural areas and for the benefit of vulnerable social categories.

The Ministry endeavors to organize programs and activities to promote sport for all, while ensuring that women can also benefit from these activities, noted Benmoussa.

In a recorded speech, Ms. Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General, congratulated ICESCO for holding the Forum, stressing that sport contributes to overcoming barriers, building a more equal world and rehabilitating women at the physical, economic and social levels.

After the opening session, debates were carried on at the level of two panels on the exchange of experiences to enrich the intergenerational dialogue, and on lessons learned from initiatives to encourage the contribution of women in sport.

At the close of the Forum, ICESCO’s Director General called on the concerned stakeholders to work together for the development of women’s sports, underlining ICESCO’s support for these efforts and its full readiness to cooperate with all actors in order to achieve this goal.