|
Scope and Aims of the Declaration
This Declaration is addressed to all those governments, public
authorities, organisations, businesses, educational and research
establishments, women's organisations and individuals who are responsible
for, or who directly or indirectly influence, the conduct, development
or promotion of sport or who are in any way involved in the employment,
education, management, training, development or care of women in
sport. This Declaration is meant to complement all sporting, local,
national and international charters, laws, codes, rules and regulations
relating to women or sport.
The overriding aim is to develop a sporting culture that enables
and values the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport.
It is in the interests of equality, development and peace that
a commitment is made by governmental, non-governmental organisations
and all those institutions involved in sport to apply the Principles
set out in this Declaration by developing appropriate policies,
structures and mechanisms which:
- ensure that all women and girls have the opportunity
to participate in sport in a safe and supportive environment which
preserves the rights, dignity and respect of the individual;
- increase the involvement of women in sport
at all levels and in all functions and roles;
- ensure that the knowledge, experiences and
values of women contribute to the development of sport
- promote the recognition by women of the instrinsic
value of sport and its contribution to personal development and
healthy lifestyle.
The Principles
1. Equity and Equality in Society
and Sport
Every effort should be made by state and government machineries
to ensure that institutions and organisations responsible for sport
comply with the equality provisions of the Charter of the United
Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention
on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Equal opportunity to participate and be involved in sport whether
for the purpose of leisure and recreation, health promotion or high
performance, is the right of every woman, regardless of race, colour,
language, religion, creed, sexual orientation, age, marital status,
disability, political belief or affiliation, national or social
origin.
Resources, power and responsibility should be allocated fairly
and without discrimination on the basis of sex, but such allocation
should redress any inequitable balance in the benefits available
to women and men.
2. Facilities
Women's participation in sport is influenced by the extent, variety
and accessibility of facilities. The planning, design and management
of these should appropriately and equitably meet the particular
needs of women in the community, with special attention given to
the need for childcare provision and safety.
3. School and Junior Sport
Research demonstrates that girls and boys approach sport from markedly
different perspectives. Those responsible for sport, education,
recreation and physical education of young people should ensure
that an equitable range of opportunities and learning experience,
which accommodate the values, attitudes and aspirations of girls,
is incorporated in programmes to develop physical fitness and basic
sport skills of young people.
4. Developing Participation
Women's participation in sport is influenced by the range of activities
available. Those responsible for delivering sporting opportunities
and programmes should provide and promote activities which meet
women's needs and aspirations.
5. High Performance Sport
Governments and sports organisations should provide equal opportunities
to women to reach their sports performance potential by ensuring
that all activities and programmes relating to performance improvements
take account of the specific needs of female athletes.
Those supporting elite and/or professional athletes should ensure
that competition opportunities, rewards, incentives, recognition,
sponsorship, promotion and other forms of support are provided fairly
and equitably to both women and men.
6. Leadershp in Sport
Women are under-represented in the leadership and decision making
in all sport and sport-related organisations. Those responsible
for these areas should develop policies and programmes and design
structures which increase the number of women coaches, advisers,
decision makers, officials, administrators and sports personnel
at all levels with special attention given to recruitment, development
and retention.
7. Education, Training and Development
Those responsible for the education, training and development of
coaches and other sports personnel should ensure that education
processes and experiences address issues relating to gender equity
and the needs of female athletes, equitably reflect women's role
in sport and take account of women's leadership experiences, values
and attitudes.
8. Sports Information and Research
Those responsible for research and providing information on sport
should develop policies and programmes to increase knowledge and
understanding about women and sport and ensure that research norms
and standards are based on research on women and men.
9. Resources
Those responsible for the allocation of resources should ensure
that support is available for sportswomen, women's programmes and
special measures to advance this Declaration of Principles.
10. Domestic and International Cooperation
Government and non-government organisations should incorporate
the promotion of issues of gender equity and the sharing of examples
of good practice in women and sport policies and programmes in their
associations with other organisations, within both domestic and
international arenas.
International Women and Sport Strategy
Governments and organisations committing to to be a part of an
International Women and Sport Strategy will:
- endorse and commit to the application of the
Declaration of Principles, to be known as the 'Brighton Declaration
of Women and Sport';
- develop and execute an implementation plan
which reflects full and practical fulfilment of the principles
contained in the Brighton Declaration;
- nominate a representative for the purposes
of communications with the International Working Group on Women
and Sport;
- support international cooperation by striving
to send qualified representatives to future international conferences
conducted to discuss issues, share exemplary practices and model
programmes, network and monitor progress in aplication of the
principles;
- provide feedback to the working group on the
effectiveness of their actions taken to advance the principles.
|
