THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) CELEBRATED YESTERDAY SIX ROLE MODELS AND CHANGE-MAKERS IN ADVANCING WOMEN AND GIRLS IN AND THROUGH SPORT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UN WOMEN, A DEDICATED AWARDS CEREMONY WAS HELD ON THE SIDELINES OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW) AT THE UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK, USA
Six trophies
International baseball umpire from Chinese Taipei Ms Po Chun Liu was awarded the World Trophy for her staunch advocacy for female empowerment through sport.
Five Continental Trophies were awarded to the following people:
- Winner for Africa: Ms Djatougbe “Nathalie” Noameshie (Togo)
From national athlete to the first fully qualified female international volleyball referee on her continent, and now Vice-President of the Togo National Olympic Committee (NOC), Noameshie has climbed the sporting leadership ladder and works actively to improve girls’ and women’s participation in sport nationally, at all levels – from grassroots to sporting administration. - Winner for the Americas: Comisión Mujer y deporte de Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
In 10 years, the Costa Rican NOC’s Women and Sport Commission has used workshops, group projects, education and sporting activities to encourage the integration of women in sport and increase participation numbers, and has lobbied for the creation of legal frameworks that recognise gender-based social issues and offer aid for women. - Winner for Asia: Ms Saada Al-Ismaili (Oman)
A leading activist for women’s sport in the Gulf region and the Arab world, Al-Ismaili has successfully designed and efficiently implemented plans and programmes aimed at promoting girls’ and women’s sport throughout the regions and governates of the Sultanate of Oman. - Winner for Europe: Ms Morana Palikovic Gruden (Croatia)
An experienced multitasking sports official and a leading figure of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Gender Equality in Sport Commission, Gruden has been pivotal in increasing the number of women holding managerial positions at European, national and local sports association level. - Winner for Oceania: Vanuatu Volleyball Federation (Vanuatu)
Recognised locally as having paved the way for female participation in sport at grassroots and elite level, the Vanuatu Volleyball Federation is using the power of sport to prompt social change, shift attitudes and encourage active living for women.
Sources:
IOC