Lusaka, Zambia, 16 June 2017–The African Union Commission in collaboration with the Government of Zambia organised a two day seminar for women leaders in sport administration. The meeting deliberated on the new African sport architecture and the AU Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa. The meeting sought to strengthen skills in new sport and careers management techniques.
“Providing women and girls with a voice in programme design, decision-making, training and opportunities for leadership in sport programmes empowers them to take greater control over their own lives” said the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs His Excellency Amira El Fadil. “Closing gender inequalities in sport contributes to sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and the achievement of the bold aspirations of Agenda 2063” she added.
Women are underrepresented in the management of sport on the continent with few seats in executive bodies of the African sport movement. The meeting mapped the key obstacles and appropriate strategies to address this imbalance calling for resolutions to have a quota system within national and continental sport institutions to assure women participation. Participants recommended fast tracking the implementation of AU policies to promote gender equality in sport. More work is needed to ensure participation of women in sports activities at the local level, in educational institutions, work places and ensure that there is equal sharing of benefits.
The Policy Framework for the Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa seeks to harmonise areas of intervention for a concerted development strategy for sports activity in Africa, and pave the way for harmonious relationships between actors in the African sport movement. The policy seeks to promote excellence and increase participation of marginalised communities especially women and girls, build capacity and promote ethics and values for sport in Africa. The Framework calls for sport for all as well as its role in economic and social development and addressing inequalities.
Sport can contribute to the empowerment of women and girls to emerge out of poverty, ignorance and culture of silence towards attaining independence and prosperity. This is in alignment with the goals of the AU Gender Equality Policy that seeks to ensure that all Member States interventions increase women and men's opportunities to exercise their rights equally and to gain equal access to and control over the benefits of development.

For more information:

Mr. Wurie Bah| Communications and Advocacy Expert, Department of Social Affairs| E-mail: bahW@africa-union.org |Tel: +251 912621689/:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia | Web http://www.carmma.org

Mr. Tawanda Chisango | Partnerships and Advocacy Expert | Department of Social Affairs | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Tel: +251 934167052 | www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia| web http://www.aidswatchafrica.net

Ms. Lina Kessy, Sports Officer, Department of Social Affairs I Addis Ababa I email: KessyL@africa-union.org

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The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/