In an exciting new initiative, the International World Games Association (IWGA) has partnered with Women Lead Sports to introduce the Women’s Leadership Programme, designed to equip women from member International Federations (IFs) with fundamental management skills.
This initiative aims to elevate female participation in leadership roles within sports organisations, addressing the persistent gender imbalance at the top levels of sports governance.
The selected participants, nominated by their respective IFs, will undergo comprehensive training to refine their leadership abilities. With a strong focus on strategic planning, communication, and leadership, the programme seeks to foster a new generation of influential female leaders in the global sports community. The IWGA has placed a priority on this programme, underscoring its belief in the transformative power of female leadership and the importance of gender equality in sports.
The programme is part of IWGA’s broader commitment to supporting its members and advancing the principles of inclusivity and equality. By empowering women to take up key leadership roles, the IWGA is not only bridging the gender gap but also creating a more balanced and effective governance structure within sports organisations it works with.
Programme format
The Women’s Leadership Programme will be offered through online interactive workshops, consisting of weekly two-hour sessions tailored to fit the diverse time zones of participants. The 22 selected participants will benefit from a personalised learning experience. The agenda will cover critical leadership topics such as electoral strategies, personal power and influence, communication skills, and stakeholder management.
Renowned coach Gabriela Mueller Mendoza will lead the programme, bringing with her over two decades of experience coaching leaders in sports and Fortune 500 companies. Her expertise will provide participants with the tools to navigate the often complex political landscapes within sports organisations, while fostering self-confidence and assertiveness in male-dominated environments.
A step toward gender equality
This initiative, supported by the IWGA Executive Committee, reflects the growing awareness within the sports community of the need for more women in decision-making roles.
“The IWGA believes that promoting gender equality in sports leadership is not only an ethical imperative but also essential for the continued growth and success of our organisations,” said IWGA President José Perurena.
“We are proud to offer this programme as part of our service to our members and look forward to seeing its positive impact on our community.”
The Women’s Leadership Programme will be delivered online in November 2024, with plans for a second edition in 2025.
The International World Games Association (IWGA) is a non-profit-making international sports organisation recognised and supported by the International Olympic Committee. The IWGA comprises 40 International Member Sports Federations. It administers and promotes The World Games (TWG), a multi-sport event held every four years that features around 35 sports on its programme. The next edition of TWG will be in Chengdu (CHN) from 7-17 August 2025. 5,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to take part in this 12th edition. The latest Games were hosted by Birmingham, Alabama (USA).
For more information, please contact the IWGA Media and Communication team: [email protected], Tel: +41 21 311 12 97, or visit our web site.
