KARACHI: Pakistan Olympic Association president retired Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan has said that the POA is promoting more women participation in the Olympic Movement as they have always contributed for the betterment of sports.

“For women empowerment in Olympics, we’ve established Pakistan Olympic Association Women’s Commission (POAWC) and have asked the provincial associations to also form their provincial women commissions, induct more women representatives in POA’s committees, increase women’s participation to 50% in National Games and other events to promote gender equality,” Gen Arif said while praising the achievements of women in every aspect of life.

“The women commissions will conduct different awareness programme modules at our National Games and Inter-Provincial Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is also recognising the potential of women and girls to lead the Olympic Movement as their representation must not be limited to athletic participation but women should also be made part of the executive boards and general assemblies,” the POA chief emphasised.

Gen Arif further said that gender equality is an essential part of IOC’s Strategic Roadmap ‘Olympic Agenda 2020’ according to which women are to be given more opportunities within policy and decision making authorities.

In this regard, he said, the IOC is organising webinars on March 15 and 16 to celebrate International Women’s Day and spread gender equality awareness.

“We have already made significant progress to empower women in the Olympic Movement by achieving the minimum target by IOC of 30% women’s representation in governing bodies.

“We are in the process to develop a specific page on POA’s website on gender equality and women empowerment,” he concluded.

To celebrate the Women’s Day a special online zoom meeting was conducted which was chaired by Chairperson Women’s Commission Fatima Lakhani. The commission praised the achievements of female athletes, officials and leaders who have inspired many with their journeys.

The commission also lauded the efforts to ensure athletes’ safety from harassment and abuse both on and off the field.

Tania Malik, Ada Jaffery, Veena Masud, Elain Alam, Khalid Mahmood, Syed Waseemuddin Hashmi and Tariq Wahid Khan also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2021