Chair of the ANOC Gender Equity Commission and Chair of the Peace and Sport Standing Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) His Royal Highness Prince Feisal Al-Hussein emphasised that gender equity is a fundamental necessity for the progress of sports and society as a whole.
His Royal Highness Prince Feisal made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 2nd OCA Gender Equity Seminar, where he also noted that despite recent progress and achievements through collective action, there remains a need to stay resolute, as significant challenges persist across Asia and globally. He highlighted that women continue to face barriers that hinder their full participation and leadership in sports.
Organised by the OCA and hosted in the Sultanate, the two-day seminar which commenced yesterday, concludes today at the Indera Kayangan Ballroom, The Empire Brunei.
Held under the theme ‘Watch Her Shine’, the seminar aims to empower and promote gender equity in sports across Asia.
The event also saw speeches by OCA Executive Board Member Mikako Kotani OLY and Chair of the OCA Gender Equity Committee Valerie Tarazi OLY.
“Sport,” said His Royal Highness Prince Feisal, “is more than competition; it is a bridge connecting cultures, fostering resilience, and inspiring transformative change. For sport to fully realise its global potential, it must reflect on the idea of equality, diversity and inclusion.
“In Asia,” His Royal Highness Prince Feisal continued, “we must recognise that we lag behind other continents in gender equity. We know that we face challenges, but we cannot let these challenges become excuses. As the world’s largest continent, home to more than 60 per cent of the world’s population, we have the duty not just to close the gap, but to inspire and lead the way in gender equity in sport.”
The opening ceremony also featured the presentation of the 2024 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Champions Award for Asia to Saudi Arabian taekwondo exponent Dunya Abutaleb, followed by the presentation of the OCA Gender Equity Committee (2024–2027) Road Map by Valerie Tarazi OLY.
The seminar continued with a session titled ‘Breaking Barriers: Advancing Gender Equity at All Sports Levels’ by three panellists – Leader of the GEDI Promotion Team of Tokyo 2020 Mikako Kotani, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women Referee Manager Pannipar Kammueng and former national artistic gymnast and Mental Health Ambassador Farah Ann OLY. This was followed by a presentation from the IOC–GEDI Department by IOC GEDI Manager Pedro Dias.
Presentations were also delivered by four additional panellists on ‘A Girl is Bound by Forty Ties’ by Project Manager of the National Olympic Council (NOC) of Kyrgyzstan Nargiza Bakeeva; ‘Key Achievements of IR Iran NOC Women and Sport Commission’ by International Affairs Expert of NOC Iran Hadis Shokouhi; ‘Champions for Change: How Jordan is Elevating Women in Sport’ by Secretary General of NOC Jordan Rana Saeed; and ‘Women in Sports Strategic Plan’ by Female Athlete Commission of NOC Brunei Pengiran Siti Amal Jariah binti Pengiran Haji Matjinen.
The seminar continued in the afternoon with group workshops.
The seminar was organised in collaboration with the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) with logistical support provided by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
The event was open to 45 Asian NOCs, specifically targeting secretaries-general and women involved in sports from each NOC. A total of 88 participants from 43 NOCs attended the seminar. The event featured 19 speakers from various renowned organisations, including the IOC, UN Women, Oceania IOC, and the International Working Group (IWG).
It was also attended by 10 guests from the OCA, including OCA Honorary Executive Board Members and members of the OCA Gender Equity Committee. These individuals shared insights and experiences on advancing gender equity in sports, underscoring the OCA’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive sporting environment for women.
The workshops employed a comprehensive methodology designed to maximise learning, engagement, and practical outcomes.
They included a series of expert-led presentations providing foundational knowledge and strategic perspectives on gender equity issues in sports.
Following the presentations, a panel discussion featuring prominent leaders and stakeholders in gender equity enabled participants to share diverse perspectives and experiences. The inaugural OCA Gender Equity Seminar, held in Manama, Bahrain, in 2022, laid the foundation for future discussions on gender equity in sports.
Building upon that foundation, the current seminar offers a rich and engaging platform for participants to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborative efforts aimed at expanding opportunities for women in sports throughout Asia. – James Kon
