UN CSW70 Parallel Forum: Sports Empower Women and Transform their Future

At the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), a forum titled “The Impact of Sports on Women’s Leadership and Society” was held on March 17. The event brought together representatives from international organizations and non-governmental groups to explore how sports can cultivate women’s leadership, promote gender equality, and highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing sustainable development.

The forum was jointly organized by Women in Sport International (WSI), the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), and UN Women, focusing on how sports contribute to women’s empowerment and leadership development.

Venerable You Lin, Director of the BLIA World Headquarters United Nations NGO Office, and Michelle Hu, Director of the BLIA World Headquarters America East Fellowship Committee, attended and participate in the global dialogue on empowering women through sports.

Dr. Becky Clark, Vice President of Women in Sport International, who is deaf, emphasized the need to promote participation of women and girls with disabilities in sports by strengthening inclusive policies, enhancing accessibility resources, increasing the visibility of female role models, and expanding leadership development, while also reinforcing collaboration with sports institutions and local communities.

Emily Cameron-Blake, a board member of WSI, noted that the field of sports has long been shaped by gender inequality and historical political factors. She recommended advancing change through local-level advocacy, encouraging women’s participation in sports policymaking, and making better use of United Nations resources.

Sarah Axelson, Vice President of Advocacy at the Women’s Sports Foundation, described sports as a “laboratory for leadership,” where women can develop resilience and confidence, helping them break through the glass ceiling in the workplace.

Jayathma Wickramanayake, Senior Advisor on Strategic Partnerships at UN Women, highlighted that sports are a key pathway to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She called for cross-sector collaboration among the sports sector, businesses, and NGOs to transform athletes’ influence into a driving force for gender equality and social justice.

Panelist Emily also pointed out that female athletes often face physical or rights violations in sports environments as existing legal frameworks and protection mechanisms remain insufficient, leading to ongoing instances of inequality.

In response, Venerable You Lin shared with Jayathma and Emily that Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Fo Guang Shan and the founder of BLIA, has long advocated the use of sports as a means of Dharma practice that of “Five Precepts”, with the core values of non-aggression and respect, helping to cultivate sound character and positive values.

Venerable You Lin also extended a sincere invitation to the speakers to engage in future online exchanges with students from Fo Guang Shan’s sports programs, sharing knowledge and practical experiences related to athletes’ rights, with the aim of enhancing public awareness of rights protection and advocacy.