Qatar-Led Event in Geneva Advances Women's Empowerment in Sport

The Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva, in cooperation with Qatar Foundation and Qatar Sports Investments, organized a high-level event in Geneva titled ‘Empowering Women and Girls In and Through Sport - From Words to Deeds’. The event was held on the sidelines of the 62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Its primary aim was to translate existing commitments from Resolution 59/17 into practical actions designed to promote the empowerment and participation of women and girls in sport. This initiative sought to bridge the gap between policy and tangible outcomes for gender equality in athletic endeavors, ensuring that the principles outlined in the resolution are effectively implemented on the ground.

Keynote Addresses and Vision

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, delivered a keynote speech. She stated that Qatar’s commitment to recognizing sport as a "fundamental human right and a powerful instrument for the advancement of women and girls globally" predated Human Rights Council Resolution 59/17. This long-standing commitment shows Qatar's dedication to leveraging sport as a tool for social development and gender equality. Human Rights Council Resolution 59/17, initiated by the State of Qatar in July 2025 in partnership with Indonesia and Morocco and unanimously adopted, enshrined sport as a fundamental human right for the advancement of women and girls. The resolution itself represents a significant milestone in international efforts to promote gender equality through athletic endeavors.

Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani noted increased investment, participation, funding, and visibility in women's sports globally. She cautioned, however, that "Across the world, we are witnessing increased investment in women’s sports. Participation has grown. Funding has grown. Visibility has expanded. Yet celebration without honesty is incomplete. Because alongside this process, we face a stubborn reality: high injury rates among female athletes and higher dropout rates for girls during adolescence, a pattern that repeats across the world." She noted these challenges, including high injury rates among female athletes and higher dropout rates for girls during adolescence, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach to supporting female athletes at all stages of their development. These issues, she explained, require focused attention and innovative solutions to ensure sustained engagement and well-being in sports for women and girls.

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani articulated a vision for future efforts. She said, "Our vision for Resolution 59/17 is to go beyond parity. Our hope is a transformation that allows for programs, spaces, and more, all designed by women and informed by science that studies women." This ambition reflects a desire to create an environment where women's unique needs and perspectives are central to the development of sports infrastructure and programming. She added, "Girls everywhere must be able to play – full, equally, safely, and with joy – and Qatar answers this call by channeling existing partnerships and international cooperation efforts to create practical programs that expand opportunity for women and girls beyond our borders." This commitment involves actively seeking out and fostering collaborations that can amplify the impact of these initiatives globally. She concluded by stating, "We’re pursuing systems and spaces designed for women, informed by science that studies women, built with insights from women. This is how we ensure that every girl knows her body is powerful, capable, and worthy of investment." This holistic approach aims to empower young women by affirming their physical capabilities and ensuring that sports environments are conducive to their growth and success.

Her Excellency Dr. Hend Abdulrahman Al-Muftah, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva, also spoke at the event. She addressed the importance of building on the success of Human Rights Council Resolution 59/17. Dr. Al-Muftah showed the need for continued international cooperation and concrete actions to realize the full potential of the resolution. Her remarks reinforced the message that the event was a key step in moving from policy declarations to practical implementation.

Panel Discussion and Initiatives

His Excellency Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of Qatar Sports Investments and President of Paris Saint-Germain, addressed the event through a recorded video message, sharing insights on the role of sports organizations in promoting gender equality. Keynote addresses were also delivered by Her Excellency Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva; His Excellency Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization; Her Excellency Awa Dabo, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Andreas Zagklis, Secretary-General of the International Basketball Federation. The participation of such high-level officials from various international bodies showed the global significance and cross-sectoral relevance of the event's theme. Their contributions provided diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for empowering women and girls through sport.

A panel discussion, chaired by Dr. Annyssa Bellal, Executive Director of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, brought together several experts to delve deeper into practical strategies. Panelists included Caroline Guenneteau from beIN MEDIA GROUP, who discussed media's role in promoting women's sports; Maria Teixidor of the International Padel Players Association, offering insights from the professional athlete perspective; Massimiliano Montanari from the International Centre for Sport Security, who focused on safety and integrity in sports; and Sonia Haziraj and Sabrina Delannoy, representing the Paris Saint-Germain Women’s Academy, who shared their experiences in developing young female talent. The diverse expertise of the panelists ensured a full discussion on various facets of women's empowerment in sport, from grassroots development to professional participation and media representation.

During the event, an international initiative titled the ‘Empowering Women and Girls in Sport’ award was announced. This award is sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Qatar Sports Investments. The award aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to advancing gender equality in sports, encouraging further innovation and dedication in this field. Following the main proceedings, Dr. Hend Abdulrahman Al-Muftah inaugurated a photo exhibition. The exhibition was designed to highlight the role of sports in promoting the participation and empowerment of women and girls, showcasing powerful images that illustrate their strength, resilience, and joy in athletic pursuits. Images featured in the exhibition were provided by Qatar Sports Investments, Qatar Foundation, and beIN SPORTS, offering a visual narrative of success and progress in women's and girls' sports worldwide. The exhibition served as a powerful visual complement to the discussions, demonstrating the tangible impact of sports on individual lives and communities.

Qatar's Transformative Approach

Qatar is driving transformative change through its strategic involvement of women in various aspects of sports development. This approach includes actively engaging women in the design and planning of sports facilities, ensuring that these spaces meet the specific needs and preferences of female athletes and participants. By involving women from the outset, Qatar ensures that facilities are not only functional but also culturally sensitive and inclusive, fostering an environment where female athletes feel comfortable and empowered to excel. Qatar is dedicated to providing coaching tailored to women and girls, recognizing the importance of specialized training methodologies and support systems. This tailored coaching addresses the unique physiological and psychological aspects of female athletes, optimizing their performance and reducing injury risks. This commitment extends to leading research initiatives focused on sporting provision for women and girls, aiming to develop evidence-based practices that enhance participation, performance, and overall well-being in sports. These research efforts contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific challenges and opportunities facing women in sports, informing policy and program development. This full strategy reflects a deliberate effort to move beyond conventional approaches and foster an environment where women and girls can thrive in athletic endeavors, both within Qatar and globally through its international partnerships.