IWG Women & Sport

IWG Women & Sport The International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Girls is the world's largest network dedicated to advancing gender equality in sport and physical activity.

Founded to encourage collaboration and share knowledge around the globe. Make Change Happen.

IWG UK Digital Legacy: Unstoppable Change, Connected GloballyCreating the digital systems, platforms and opportunities t...
01/10/2026

IWG UK Digital Legacy: Unstoppable Change, Connected Globally

Creating the digital systems, platforms and opportunities to share learning, strengthen connection and accelerate action across borders.

The UK Secretariat has strengthened IWG's digital foundations so the knowledge, experience and good practice of signatories can be captured, shared and used more widely by others. This includes a new connected database, an easy-to-use website and content platform, a simpler process for new signatories to join, and new digital ways to connect and learn — through online communities, shared content, virtual Shift Sessions for peer learning, and the Global Summit. Together, this digital foundation gives future Secretariat hosts a stronger platform to build on, helping learning and action travel further and faster across the global IWG network.

Our Year Four Annual Report is here!We’re pleased to share the IWG Women & Sport Year Four Annual Report, reflecting on ...
30/09/2026

Our Year Four Annual Report is here!

We’re pleased to share the IWG Women & Sport Year Four Annual Report, reflecting on a year of connection, insight and advocacy as we continue working towards greater gender equality in and through sport and physical activity.

From the 9th IWG Global Summit on Women & Sport, which brought together 900+ delegates and speakers from 82 countries, to growing the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration to 753 signatories, this year has been about building momentum and creating lasting change.

The report also highlights our work to strengthen the IWG network, develop research and insight, share knowledge and grow the global movement for gender equality.

📖 Want to find out more? Read the full Year Four Annual Report to explore the impact and achievements of the IWG UK Secretariat’s final year.

🔗 Read the report now via the IWG Women & Sport website. https://www.iwgwomenandsport.org/post/iwg-year-4-annual-report-published

UK Coaching has signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of more than 700 organisations w...
30/09/2026

UK Coaching has signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of more than 700 organisations working to advance gender equity in sport and physical activity.

The commitment comes alongside the launch of UK Coaching’s new Women in Coaching Plan, which focuses on three key areas:
- Attracting more women into coaching by creating cultures where they feel welcomed, valued and visible
- Retaining women by addressing the structural and cultural barriers that can make coaching less sustainable
- Creating equitable opportunities for women to enter, develop and progress throughout their coaching careers

The need for action is clear. UK Coaching’s 2024 research, based on a survey of more than 30,000 UK adults, found that the proportion of female coaches fell from 44% in 2022 to 38% in 2024.

By signing the Declaration and launching its new plan, UK Coaching is strengthening its commitment to creating a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable coaching workforce.

🌍 Welcome to the IWG global community, UK Coaching!

🏆 The Professional Disc Golf Association commits to gender equityThe Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has offic...
29/09/2026

🏆 The Professional Disc Golf Association commits to gender equity

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) has officially signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global movement of more than 700 organisations working towards greater gender equity in sport.

As the international governing body for disc golf, the PDGA is committing to breaking down barriers and ensuring women and girls are represented, supported and celebrated across the sport, as players, leaders and volunteers.

From its biennial Women’s Global Event, which connects female competitors around the world, to the United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship and its long-standing Women’s Committee, the PDGA is taking action to create greater opportunities and visibility for women in disc golf.

By signing the Declaration, the PDGA is strengthening that commitment and helping drive change from grassroots participation through to the highest levels of the sport.

🌍 Welcome to the IWG global community, PDGA!

Creating more opportunities for women and girls to move, wherever they are in life...Rise North East has signed the Brig...
24/09/2026

Creating more opportunities for women and girls to move, wherever they are in life...

Rise North East has signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of 700+ organisations committed to advancing gender equity in sport and physical activity.

Working across the North East, Rise is tackling the barriers that can prevent women and girls from being active, with initiatives spanning schools, local communities and healthcare.

From using youth voice to shape opportunities for girls, to building on the success of This Girl Can Newcastle and supporting women through pregnancy, motherhood, perimenopause and menopause, their approach recognises that different stages of life can bring different barriers to movement.

By sharing their place-based insight with the global IWG network, Rise is helping demonstrate how local action can contribute to wider change.

Welcome to the IWG movement, Rise North East! 🤝

Two organisations, one shared commitment to advancing gender equity in sport 👏Active Oxfordshire and the University of ...
23/09/2026

Two organisations, one shared commitment to advancing gender equity in sport 👏

Active Oxfordshire and the University of Oxford have signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of 700+ organisations working to create greater opportunities for women and girls across movement, physical activity and sport. 🌍

The partnership brings together world-leading research and local action, from the University of Oxford’s work on female athlete health, injury prevention and performance, to Active Oxfordshire’s work tackling barriers to participation and creating more inclusive opportunities across the region.

Both organisations are also investing in the next generation, with initiatives including the University’s Young Sport Leaders programme and Active Oxfordshire’s Girls Coach Academy, which has supported more than 400 Year 9 girls to develop their confidence and leadership skills. 👏

By combining research, insight and community-led action, this joint commitment demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating lasting change for women and girls in sport.

Welcome to the IWG global movement, Active Oxfordshire and University of Oxford! 🤝

A huge congratulations to Lisa O’Keefe MBE! 🏆 We’re so proud to see our Secretary General recognised with the inaugural ...
20/09/2026

A huge congratulations to Lisa O’Keefe MBE! 🏆

We’re so proud to see our Secretary General recognised with the inaugural WiMENA Game Changer Award 2026.

The award is particularly special as Lisa was chosen by the WiMENA network itself, recognising her longstanding commitment to understanding the barriers facing women and girls in sport and using research, insight and collaboration to drive meaningful change.

At IWG, we see first-hand the passion and commitment Lisa brings to creating greater opportunities for women and girls in sport around the world.

This recognition from the WiMENA community is a wonderful acknowledgement of that work.

Congratulations, Lisa! 👏

Making movement more inclusive for women and girls across Berkshire🤝... Get Berkshire Active has signed the Brighton Plu...
16/09/2026

Making movement more inclusive for women and girls across Berkshire🤝...

Get Berkshire Active has signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of 700+ organisations working to advance gender equity in sport and physical activity.

Their work focuses on understanding and breaking down the barriers that can prevent women and girls from being active, from creating safer, more welcoming spaces to ensuring their voices and experiences help shape future opportunities.

Through partnerships, evidence-led approaches and campaigns such as This Girl Can, Get Berkshire Active is helping to create more positive experiences of movement across every stage of life.

As Kirsty Heath, Strategic Lead for Physical Activity for Health at Get Berkshire Active, said:
“We believe every woman and girl should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of being physically active, regardless of their background, circumstances or stage of life.”

A commitment to local action, with the potential to create wider change.
Welcome to the IWG global movement, Get Berkshire Active!

British Fencing has officially signed the IWG on Women & Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global ne...
15/09/2026

British Fencing has officially signed the IWG on Women & Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of 700+ organisations committed to creating greater opportunities for women and girls in sport.

A key focus is tackling the gender gap in coaching, with British Fencing introducing a grant scheme to help more women enter and progress through the coaching pathway by removing practical barriers such as travel, accommodation and course costs.

The organisation is also supporting wider initiatives to increase female participation, including Muslim Girls Fence and Swords After Surgery, supporting women recovering from breast cancer surgery.

As British Fencing President Pat Aiyenuro BEM said:
“We know how powerful it is for women and young girls to see other women coaching at their clubs.”

By creating more opportunities for women to participate, coach, referee and lead, British Fencing is helping build a more inclusive future for the sport. 🤝

Welcome to the IWG global movement, British Fencing!

The Bangladesh Women’s Sports Federation has officially signed the IWG on Women & Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki Declara...
14/09/2026

The Bangladesh Women’s Sports Federation has officially signed the IWG on Women & Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, joining a global network of 700+ organisations committed to advancing gender equity in sport.

As a multi-sports federation operating in a conservative country, the Federation is working to create greater opportunities for girls and women, particularly in rural Bangladesh, by nurturing sporting talent, providing training opportunities, advocating for safe and equitable sport and supporting athlete welfare.

Their partnership with the Bangladesh National Sports Training Institute (BKSP) also provides comprehensive preparation programmes and accommodation for around 100 female athletes seeking annual admission.

As President Sarwat Siraj said:
“Equality is not a favour – it is the foundation of sporting excellence.”

We’re proud to welcome the Bangladesh Women’s Sports Federation to the global IWG movement and look forward to seeing the impact of this commitment for women and girls across Bangladesh. 🤝

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