In 2011, Sport and Gender was the second Thematic Working Group of the Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group (SDP IWG) to be activated. The Sport and Gender Thematic Working Group is currently chaired by Norway and co-chaired by Tanzania.

The Thematic Working Group focuses on three strategic priority areas outlined in the Approved Action Plan ¹ :

•    Fostering Self-Esteem and Empowerment
•    Facilitating Social Support and Inclusion
•    Providing Opportunities for Leadership and Achievement

These three strategic priority areas and the associated recommendations may be challenging for some governments to pursue due to a scarcity of resources and also due to the jurisdictional division of responsibility with provincial/state, local governments for education and other matters. It is assumed that governments will seek partnerships wherever possible to leverage the resources necessary to advance the objectives cited below. It is also assumed that, where governments do not have direct jurisdiction, they may use their convening power, shared-cost partnerships and other forms of influence to promote positive action by other levels of government.

Objectives

Working together with Members (Member State representatives) and Observers (experts, NGOs etc), the Sport and Gender Thematic Working Group aims to meet the following objectives:

1. Utilize available resources to identify issues and best practice approaches within the Sport and Gender   Working Group thematic;
2. Provide a forum for governments to benefit from each other’s experience and share best practices with regard to sport and gender;
3. Support the implementation of the recommendations with regard to sport and gender which include the following strategic areas of priority: Fostering Self-Esteem and Empowerment; Facilitating Social Support and Inclusion; Opportunities for Leadership and Achievement;
4. Sustain momentum with regards to government awareness and take-up in sport and gender policy and programmes.
    

¹Based on Policy Recommendations contained in Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group “Harnessing the Power of Sport for Development and Peace: Recommendations to Governments”, 2008, pp.156-162.