WUNRN
Resolution
Statement of the Southern Africa Women and Sport Consultative Meeting on 27th
-29th April 2011, Lusaka Zambia
We the women of the Southern Africa
Region gathered here in concern for the development of women in sport at all
levels;
REMINDED of the manifestations of
various forms of harassment in sport by the Key Note address to the
Consultative Meeting by Prof. Fasting;
RECOGNISING that sport and physical
activity are beneficial for management and prevention of diseases and
conditions such as heart diseases, immunity conditions, depression,
cancer, bone density, diabetes, ageing and obesity;
AWARE that girls participating in
sport are less likely to enter into violent relationships, early pregnancy and
drug abuse;
CONVINCED that sport can help promote
broader gender objectives such as human rights awareness and empowerment;
BEARING in mind that women and girls
have the right to safe sporting environment;
MINDFUL that freedom from all forms of
gender violence and participation of women and girls are recognized as human
rights;
RECOGNISING that gender
violence occurs in sport and can have severe damaging effects on participants,
officials and organizations;
GUIDED by the Olympic Charter, the
SADC Protocol on Culture Information and Sport, SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination;
TAKING full cognizance of
the imperative need to translate sectoral policies, priorities and strategies
into practical effect;
FOLLOWING deliberations
and strategizing to address violence against women in sport; we resolve that we
have accepted the draft guiding principles on Violence Against Women in Sport
as a tool and strategy to guide and inspire our organizations and countries to
take action;
We COMMIT to further
consultations on prevention of violence against women in sport, to develop
research and shared advocacy to advance our goal of developing safe sporting
environments for women in sport;
We urge the leaders of the
National Sports Councils, National Olympic Committees, Sport for Development
Organizations, Ministries of Sport and the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa
Zone VI to take action.
Signed By Delegates on 29th April 2011.
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