Building a Caring and Sharing ASEAN Community Through Sports
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30 December 2021 19:36 WIB
Appointed by their respective countries as role models, the lineup of ambassadors demonstrates the value of inclusion and diversity in sports: male and female dominated sports, modern and traditional sports, and—Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For many years, we have known that female athletes and sport professionals across the world continue to experience gender discrimination and even violence. Going back to the proportion of female population in the region, the low recognition of social values on participation and achievements of women and girls in sports, as well as doubts in women’s leadership and negotiation skills to take lead in the sports sector might slow down our growth in the sports industry as a whole.
Representation matters. Thus, the remarkable accomplishment and leadership of our ten women sports ambassadors in their respective fields is something that ASEAN tries to amplify to inspire and connect people across the region, including youth, in many ways. Using sports to raise awareness to educate the public about gender equality, inclusion and resilience is something that the region should and will pursue.
Drawing from the conversation with the ten women sports ambassadors, ASEAN needs to think beyond women’s and girl’s achievements in sports activities and competitions. Paying attention to women’s leadership and career paths in sports institutions, their safety and protection, as well as stronger support to para sports platforms are measures that the region will make in order to keep our athletes motivated and able to thrive in any uncertainties.
For the next five years, the ASEAN sports sector will strengthen cooperation towards an active ASEAN Community where sports grow with integrity and serve an essential means in advancing socio-cultural development and promoting peace, guided by the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025.
As stated in the 2013 Vientiane Declaration on Sports Cooperation in ASEAN by the sports ministers, the region’s cooperation in sports has to be strengthened in realising the vision of an ASEAN Community to forge a common regional identity—and build a caring and sharing society.
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