2011 SU Update: Unity and Positivism reigned in FISU Women’s Committee Session

SHENZHEN – On Tuesday August 14, an information and discussion session for the National University Sports Federations (NUSF), chaired by Verena Burk and organized by the FISU Women’s Committee was held in the Athletes’ Village. The aim of this meeting was to inform the delegates from the NUSFs about the work and the activities of the FISU Women’s Committee as well as discuss about the situation and problems regarding gender equality in the different FISU member associations.

With a majority of women, the session began with news from the FISU Women’s Committee, followed by the exposure of the particular situation of the university sports federations in each country. Then there was an exchange of experiences, ideas and solutions to the problems of each federation. At the end an open discussion about the participation of women inside of the federations took place.

Johanna St:Clair, President of the Swedish University Sport Federation commented that the biggest problem in her country is that women get scared to go from a club to an international representation. “Now we are trying to create a system for introducing women, first in sports competitions and then in the organization” added St:Claire. For Penninah Kabenge fromUgandathe biggest problem in her country is the feeling of comfort. “In my delegation that came to the Universiade in Shenzhen, there are 16 officials and I’m the only woman.

According toFISUstatistics, only 20 % of the seats in the Boards and Executive Committees in the NUSFs are occupied by women.

The next FISU Women’s Committee meeting will be at the end of 2011 after the NUSFs will present their new candidates for the FISU Committees in November in Brussels,Belgium.

(Source: Natasha Campos, FISU Young Reporter/CRC)

 Verena Burk, Chair FISU Women’s Committee