OCA to hold Gender Equity Seminar in Bahrain in October

The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that it will hold a Gender Equity Seminar in Manama, Bahrain on October 30-31.

In a push to activate and support Gender Equity Committees among Asian NOCs, the OCA and the OCA Gender Equity Committee announced on Monday, August 15 the upcoming seminar will be held in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee and Bahrain Olympic Committee.

“The OCA is working hard to achieve Gender Equality in Asia, in line with the International Olympic Committee’s strategic roadmap – Olympic Agenda 2020+5 – and its specific gender equality target to strive for gender balance in leadership with a minimum of 30 percent representation of either gender,” said OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam.

In a letter addressed to all Asian NOC Presidents and Secretary Generals, the OCA Director General continued: “To achieve our shared goal, we are working to activate and support Gender Equity Committees among Asian NOCs which will implement regional activities, engage men and women to work on this priority agenda, and involve more women in the decision-making process. We are convinced our approach will help us reach this important objective.”

The two-day seminar in the Bahrain capital Manama will have three main objectives: (a) the role of the NOC to enhance gender equality ensuring women’s participation and representation in all aspects and fields like media, NOC Board and team officials; (b) introducing best practices to enhance Gender Equality; and (c) introducing grassroots strategies.

The seminar will feature presentations and discussions with the OCA Gender Equity Committee, IOC Gender Equality & Inclusion Unit, and different international speakers.

High-level representatives from the IOC, OCA and Bahrain Olympic Committee, including Sheikha Hayat Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Chair, OCA Gender Equity Committee, and a member of the ANOC Gender Equity Commission will also address the seminar.

Source: OCA