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Home News International Womens Day: FISU committed to driving lasting change through sport

International Womens Day: FISU committed to driving lasting change through sport

FISU 8 March 2018

On 8 March, countries of the world come together to celebrate the International Women’s Day. Dating back to the early 19th century, this day is a symbol of the recognition of women’s achievements and their contribution to the progress of the modern society. Since 1975, the United Nations celebrates the International Women’s Day on the 8th of March.

 Najmed Khedmati (centre) went from winning gold in the Gwanju 2015 Summer Universiade and bronze with her team from Iran (pictured) in the 10m Air Rifle Team event to being a part of the FISU Gender Equality Commission

Since FISU’s founding, the federation, its staff and 174 member federations have strongly adhered to and been a tireless promoter of the principles of equal rights and opportunities for every human being, without regard to any divisions. Acting in the spirit of the UN Charter, we use sports to educate young people about the dignity and worth of everyone. As the leader of the international University Sport Movement, at FISU we are fully committed in our work to ensure equal rights for men and women.

 Torchbearer Yi Xuan Zeng, the taekwondo gold medalist at the 2007 Bangkok Universiade and the 2009 Belgrade Universiade, carries the flame past the iconic National Taichung Theatre before the 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade

While our sports programme is the most powerful tool to help women of all nations to achieve their potential through sport, our efforts don’t stop with there. Part of this commitment is seen through the works of the FISU Gender Equality Committee, a team that promotes the role of women in sport at all levels.

 

Last year, FISU signed the Panel Parity Pledge from the International Gender Champions initiative and promoted by the UN. We will continue to make every effort to contribute to a more just world, a world where all young men and young women have equal opportunity to become true leaders of tomorrow.

FISU President Matytsin signing the International Gender Champions initiative in 2017. Gender equality being one of its all-time guiding principles, FISU was among the first International Sports Federations to join this network.