Introduction of several key policy
changes, including:
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THE AMERICAS Pan American
Women and Sport Working Committee Women of the 42 PASO member countries have traditionally participated actively in sports. At the Sydney Olympic Games, all but one PASO country sent women athletes, and 39.7% of the Pan American participants were women. When compared to the 1995 Pan American Games, where 30.2% of all participants were women, the 1999 Winnipeg Games showed a similar increase of 6.5%, with women forming a total of 36.7% of all participants. Additional events and sports for women were also added to the program in basketball, modern pentathlon, water polo, weightlifting and football. A complete and more detailed presentation of information relevant to the Americas will become available with the completion of a general survey that has been distributed among the 42 PASO member-countries. The results of this survey will present information about the current status of women in sport within the continent, to enable the creation of new and effective policy initiatives and strategies. PASO Women and Sport
Working Committee Developments since 2000 include:
Committee
Future
recommendations
Aruba The National Women and Sport Committee at the level of the National Olympic Committee is ready "in principle," and will be formally established at the beginning of 2002. As of the end of 2001, women make up 20% of the NOC Executive Board (2 out of 9 members). The Technical Committee and Medical Committee have female members. The NOC's Secretary General and President of the PASO Women and Sport Working Committee is a woman. And, in addition, the 2nd Secretary General is also a woman. Aruba will host a continental conference in 2003, and is involved in planning the Continental Conference in Montreal prior to the upcoming World Conference. Barbados Highlights of progress in Barbados as reported from the National Sports Council include:
Maria Beatriz Rocha Ferreira, Faculty of Physical Education at State University of Campinas, São Paulo In Brazil, the main places to practise sport are schools, sport academies and clubs. Actions are therefore being developed to encourage more girls and women to participate in sport at school (form pre-school to high school), and at the recreational (all ages) and competitive levels. As a result, the number of girls and women participating in sport and physical activities has increased in recent years. A special day for women in sport formed part of the internationally recognised Project, "Agita São Paulo," and another project is planned to increase sport participation among Brazilian indigenous populations that will include the issue of women in sports. Women and sport is also receiving increasing attention at Brazilian universities, with nine dissertation theses completed which focus on women and sport. In addition, the media have increased their reporting on women's sport (particularly women's volleyball), resulting in the attraction of more financial assistance. Laws for girls and boys with respect to physical education at school are equal. In competitive sports, although salaries, awards and other elements still favour men, the laws have been changing and the situation for women has improved. Canada Announcement of two
legacies
The Strategy will be presented at the World Conference on Women in Sport, and CAAWS itself will undergo a review to align its Strategic Plan with the larger Canadian Strategy as it develops. Programs and activities of CAAWS Leadership
Participation
Health
Communications
Marketing and Sponsorship
Recognition
Resources
Partnerships
CAAWS has also worked on developing relationships in the non-traditional sectors, including Health, Osteoporosis, Heart and Stroke, Diabetes, Girls Guides of Canada and more. Girl Guides of Canada has introduced the new option of GirlSports as part of its program. A six-week module, the objective of the GirlSports program is to increase the opportunities for girls and women to participate in fun-filled, recreational sport and physical activity, under the supportive, female-only umbrella of Guides Canada. Chile The Chilean Olympic Committee has increased the number of women in decision making positions, and set up a women and sport committee. In addition, Chile's DIGEDER (Dirección General de Deporte y Recreación) has started a Women in Sport Commission. Colombia As a result of connections made during the IWG meeting in Bogotá, work is underway in Colombia to develop a National Plan on Women and Sport. In 1999, the Government of Colombia and the Colombian Olympic Committee adopted the Brighton Declaration, and in 2001, the Colombian Women and Sport Association started a micro business project to help former female athletes support themselves and their families. On Sundays and holidays, Bogotá 's main streets are closed to automobiles, creating a 180 km long bikeway throughout the entire city. It is open only to cyclists, roller skaters, in-line skaters, runners, walkers and pedestrians, and aerobics and music stations are set up at various points in the city. Thousands of women and girls participate every weekend, and the program has become a means of social exchange that brings the city together for sports, health and happiness each week. Cuba In December 2000, three young women were chosen for five-year scholarships in Cuba in the area of Physical Education and Sport. Dominica A female President currently leads the Dominica Olympic Committee, and there are female sports officers throughout the island. The principles of the Brighton Declaration have been carefully noted, and every effort is being made to enforce and advance the cause of women in Dominica. Women are being encouraged by National Associations to get involved in coaching and officiating in particular, and are already active in sports administration. Competitive sport opportunities for women are also increasing. Football for seniors and school children has been introduced, and a Women in Sport Sub-committee is embarking on an aggressive sensitisation program, supported by their male counterparts. Finally, a sports medicine association is being formed with women sharing equal responsibility and opportunities for further training. Ecuador In 1999, the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee (EOC) began one of its most ambitious projects to date: building a sports centre exclusively for women. In July 2000, the Juan Antonio Samaranch Women's Sports Centre officially opened, and it now offers courses in table tennis, volleyball and basketball. Aerobic gymnastics classes have attracted the most interest, and the space is also used to host the cheerleading championships. Further to the mandate from the International Olympic Committee, the EOC established the Commission on Women and Sports, which continually strives to involve women in sports in Ecuador, and to make sports part of their activities. While it was formed in 1998, it was not until the meeting of the Executive Committee on April 29, 1999 that Mariadela Pérez, Sandra López, Mariuxu Febres-Cordero and Carmen Pazmiño were appointed to the Commission. One of the first activities of the Committee was to participate in the second session of the EOA. This meeting was an opportunity to become acquainted with women involved in sports in the coastal, mountain and eastern provinces, so that the Commission could work more effectively in these areas. The lack of information on the quality and quantity of human resources was the first obstacle to be overcome. The Commission developed a three-page questionnaire for a detailed survey that would help identify possible candidates for the Commission of Women on Sports in Ecuador. This questionnaire is being sent to the main sports organisations in Ecuador, namely the National Sports Council, the Ecuadorian Olympic Committee, the National Sports Federation, the national federations for individual sports and provincial sports federations. The persons conducting the surveys are physical education teachers who volunteer their time for this activity, and have received guidance on how to do this work. For the Olympic Week organised by the EOA, the Women's Commission was given space on the program in the first official invitation from the Commission, and the response was excellent. A large number of women attended, forty women teachers spoke along with women sports journalists and former sportswomen. The conference ended with a round table at which the following suggestions were made:
The Commission on Women and Sports also aims to:
Grenada The Grenada Olympic Association now has an equal number of men and women on its Executive Body, and the General Secretary has been invited to sit on the PASO Executive. Women also make up 40% of the Physical Education Officers at schools. Guatemala 150 participants, including representatives from sport federations, national sport associations and the Guatemalan Army, attended the first Guatemalan Forum on Women and Sport. Guyana Minister Gail Teixeira, M P, of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, established a Women and Sport Working Group that co-ordinated the 2001 International Women's Day celebrations, including a "Female Cavalcade of Sport" which showcased females in fifteen different sports with approximately 300 athletes taking part. A television program including highlights of women in sport at all levels was also produced and well received. The first female President of a National Sport Association was named in Netball, and the first female Executive Member was named to the Cricket Association. Guyana hosted its first ever women and sport conference, "Equity and Equality in Sport and Society," on March 18-19, 2000, and the Brighton Declaration was endorsed. The Guyana Olympic Association included a special presentation on women and sport in its two-week course for administrators, and is looking at other ways to promote the cause. Haiti The National Olympic Committee created the Working Group for Women and Sport in Haiti on March 8, 2001 on the occasion of International Women's Day. A press conference was organised, and a meeting was held two days later with presentations and workshops. Four members of the Women and Sport Working Group took part in the international conference held in Norway in May 2001. Mexico DEMUSA (Deporte, Mujer y Salud - Sport Women and Health) reports the following activities and issues since 1998 From 1997 to 2000, DEMUSA distributed thousands of brochures covering various topics on women in sports as well as fair play among participating athletes at national championships and children and youth Olympiads. In 1998, the Association attended the 2nd World Conference on Women and Sport in Windhoek, Namibia. The 1st National Meeting on Women and Sport in Mexico was also held that year, with attendance by 27 entities from the country establishing state commitments for the following year. In 1999, DEMUSA, in partnership with the IWG (International Working Group on Women and Sport), organised the 1st Latin-American Meeting in Winnipeg, Canada, at which the initial steps were taken towards put together a group of Latin American countries that would establish a communication network and work jointly on this project. Also in 1999, the 2nd National Meeting on Women and Sport was held, at which actions and achievements were reviewed and new commitments were established to ensure growth of the movement in Mexico. Eight women representatives of each region were appointed to maintain better relations at the national level, and the "Call for Action" event was organised in the Federal District of Mexico, featuring participation by 1570 women of all ages in 10 different sporting disciplines. In 2000, DEMUSA attended the 2nd International Conference on Women and Sport sponsored by the IOC in Paris, France. In the later part of the year, in coordination with CONADE (Comision Nacional de Deportes), the Mexican Olympic Committee, CODEME (Confederación Deportiva Mexicana) and ODEPA (Organización Deportiva Panamericana) DEMUSA organised the 1st Pan-American Conference on Women and Sport to establish ties aimed at strengthening the movement at the Pan-American level. In 2001, the Annual National Plan and a special project with the National Women's Institute were submitted to CONADE. Contact was also made with various national and international foundations working in this area, to maintain continuity at the national level. In September 2001, the Youth and Sports Commission of the Chamber of Senators called upon non-governmental organisations to participate in reviewing the Federal Sports Act in Mexico. DEMUSA also sent proposals referring to the Brighton Declaration and the topic of Mexican women in sport. Partners Trinidad and Tobago The first ever Women's Games were held in March 2000, and new ways are being looked at to improve the performance of women in training, coaching and officiating. United States Throughout the USA, several different groups are leading activities to improve the position for women and girls' sport. Girl Scouts of the
USA Girl Scouts of the USA is committed to providing opportunities for every girl everywhere to participate in Girl Scouting, regardless of her ability, race, religion, ethnicity, etc. Girl Scout sports and fitness projects provide adult leaders with suggestions for being inclusive and for adapting activities for girls with different abilities, interests and needs. Since 1996, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has successfully provided opportunities for 2.8 million girls aged 5-17 to participate in sports, health and fitness activities through the GirlSports initiative. A range of materials for girls, adults and local councils have been produced to help support and promote this program, which is designed to teach sports, health and fitness skills, promote fair play, build teamwork and leadership skills, and develop lifelong health and fitness habits. GSUSA is also working in co-operation with four other organisations to coordinate the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day - a day set aside to acknowledge the contributions of girls and women in sports. A Community Kit is distributed through each organisation, providing tool for planning events, and working with the media and other organisations. With the combined resources of organisations representing more than 50 million girls and women, a much greater impact is made than would be possible by any one group working alone. Additional information on this partnership is included in this report under Point 9 of the Windhoek Call for Action. Women's Sports Foundation
USA With the assistance of its International Committee, which includes individuals with international knowledge and expertise in areas dealing with sports and physical activity issues, the Foundation has developed strong alliances with organisations in South America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, North America and the Caribbean. In addition, in 2000 the Foundation's Board of Trustees approved the establishment of an International Council of the Advisory Board, and renamed the standing International Committee as the Steering Committee of the International Council. The renamed committee was charged with overseeing the establishment of the International Council and the Foundation's International Development Strategy. Composed of representatives from the regions named above as well as the Middle East, Africa and Central America, the goal of the Council is to act and be recognised as a resource for information on advocacy for girls and women in sports and physical fitness. The Steering Committee has been working
on developing the format of the Strategy during 2001. However, the
economic problems that have been prevalent since the beginning of
2001 and the tragic events of September 2001 have made it necessary
for the Steering Committee to make major adjustments in the Strategy,
pushing its implementation back at least a year. Although the Foundation's efforts to expand its reach to incorporate more of the world's expertise has been delayed, it still maintains close ties with organisations such as WomenSports International (WSI), the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), the International Association of Physical Education and Sport for Girls and Women (IAPESGW), the International Council of Health, Physical Education, Research, Recreation, Sport and Dance (ICHPER-SD), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and most of the international sports governing bodies. Because the Foundation values non-discrimination in all of its programs or activities on the basis of race, age, religion, colour, national origin, gender, physical disability or sexual orientation, its various grant programs touch girls and women of all skill levels and from diverse groups. In 2000, through its Travel and Training Grant program the Foundation awarded more than $526,000 to 335 individuals and 153 teams and programs across 48 states. The Foundation's College Scholarship Program made an additional educational investment in female athlete leaders. In 2000, scholarships were given to 281 high school seniors who demonstrated outstanding leadership and support of women's athletics both on the playing field and in their communities. Three $5,000 scholarships and one $10,000 scholarship were also awarded to the women with the finest credentials among all applicants. The Women's Sports Foundation (U.S.A.) launched an interactive Web site (www.gogirlgo.com) which provides information on sports organisations and resources where girls can learn about sport for all skill levels and time commitments. A longitudinal study on women in intercollegiate sport in the U.S.A. (by L. Carpenter and R. V. Acosta) found that, while participation numbers are up and there are more opportunities for females to play sport, there has been a decrease in the percentage of female coaches and female administrators. Uruguay On June 19, 2001 a celebratory meeting of 54 female athletes from Uruguay who had competed at the international level in many different sports was organised, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Sport and Youth, the Institute of Family and Women (Ministry of Education and Culture) and the Commission for the Fight Against Cancer. The event was organised under the auspices of the National Olympic Committee of Uruguay, and AMUREDE (Women's Recreation and Sport Association) asked all sport federations and the National Olympic Committee of Uruguay to produce the names of all female athletes who had competed in the 20th Century. At the emotional event, athletes received congratulatory messages from many local authorities including a telephone message from First Lady Ms. Mercedes Menafra de Batille, and organisers were able to reunite athletes from many different sports and generations, ranging in age from 86 to 16. On August 16, 2001 an agreement was signed between AMUREDE and the Federation of Residents in the Centre of the Country, which unites 20 thousand societies in Montevideo. Sport and physical activities were organised for all members to promote the important benefits of physical activity and sport for women. Venezuela Meetings of the Women's Commission of
the Congresso Pan Americano de Educacion Fisica were held in Caracas,
Venezuela on July 12-14, 2001.
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