Wilton Park, in partnership with the Qatar Foundation, convened a dialogue on Sport for development in the Global South: advancing female empowerment, inclusion, and accessibility, bringing together policymakers, leading figures from the world of sport, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and development experts.
The individual sessions addressed: setting the scene on why women’s participation in sport matters for development outcomes; breaking systemic barriers through representation, empowerment and diplomacy; moving from commitments to action; sport for development in the Global South and identifying opportunities to overcome barriers to access; traditional sport, heritage and identity; investing in women and girls through sport; and advancing inclusion and accessibility in sport, from disability rights to practical action — closing with a session on pathways for action and commitments that outlive the convening.
This dialogue created an active network between participants, described by one participant as a “squad,” providing space for continued cooperation and collaboration beyond the dialogue itself, and opening the door for further discussion and coalition-building across the sector.
The dialogue concluded with a call to action for participants to join a global cross-sectoral coalition dedicated to promote, advocate, support and amplify the role of sport for development, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and girls in sport.