Sport Ireland has signed the IWG Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, signifying their commitment to equity for women and girls in sport and physical activity.
The signing took place during Women in Sport Week, which runs from Monday, March 3 to Sunday, March 9, and this year celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said:
“At Sport Ireland we’re committed to supporting women and girls’ participation in sport. There’s no more fitting time to sign the declaration than during Women in Sport Week, which highlights our focus on encouraging the participation of women and girls.”
IWG secretary general Lisa O’Keefe MBE said:
“Ireland has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in advancing gender equity in sport. Sport Ireland’s commitment to the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration is a powerful statement of intent, reinforcing the momentum behind inclusion and fairness in sport. We are thrilled to see this step forward!”
More than 600 organisations around the globe have already signed the declaration, including the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
John Foley, Chairperson of Sport Ireland, said:
“I’m really happy to be here today for the signing of the Brighton plus Helsinki declaration. It’s an important reaffirmation of our focus on encouraging the participation of women and girls in sport. We’re all about supporting women and girls’ participation in every way possible, and we’re proud to take our place among the signatories of the declaration.”
Nora Stapleton, Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes and Women in Sport Lead with Sport Ireland, said: “I’m delighted that Sport Ireland has signed the Brighton plus Helsinki declaration. It’s especially apt that it took place during Women in Sport Week.
“Women in Sport Week provides an opportunity for ourselves, the Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies and other organisations to highlight women and girls in sport, from coaches to officials, volunteers and participants.”
Women in Sport Week celebrates women’s contributions to sport, highlights related initiatives by Sport Ireland and it’s partners, and showcases initiatives funded by the Women in Sport Programme, all to advance their vision of equal opportunity and lifelong involvement in sports for women and girls. Each day is organised along a different theme and a number of events have already taken place to mark the week.
Friday March 7th – Leadership & Governance
Accelerate Action event on the Sport Ireland Campus. Attended by 100 leaders from the sport sector, this event featured keynote speakers, Q&A, and a networking lunch. Sport Ireland signed the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration at this event.
Saturday March 8th – International Women’s Day
Sport Ireland and parkrun Ireland are marking International Women’s Day by encouraging women and girls to head to their local parkrun to walk, jog, run or volunteer.
Sunday March 9th – Active Participation
This is a day for women to mark Women in Sport Week by getting active in whatever way they want. For ideas about ways to be active in your area check out Get Ireland Active, Ireland’s most comprehensive activity, sport and recreation website.
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