Sport Ireland Commits to International Treaty for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality in Sport
Sport Ireland has signed the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, developed by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport. The declaration represents a commitment to establishing a fair and equitable sporting environment that includes and promotes participation from women and girls at all levels. The agreement provides guidelines to help organisations worldwide achieve gender equality in sport and physical activity, ensuring equal opportunities and engagement.
Sport Ireland’s official signing of the declaration took place during the fifth annual Women in Sport Week, from March 7 to March 13, 2025. This week-long initiative is dedicated to highlighting women's significant contributions to sport, raising awareness of Sport Ireland’s efforts, and promoting programmes funded specifically to encourage female participation. The timing was chosen deliberately to emphasise the alignment between Sport Ireland’s goals and the international principles outlined in the declaration.
Signing the declaration reinforces Sport Ireland's existing commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusivity across all sporting levels. This international commitment underlines the importance of structured support systems that empower women and girls to participate fully and confidently in sports. Sport Ireland joins over 600 international organisations in this commitment, demonstrating a global effort to achieve genuine gender equality in sports.
Lisa O’Keefe MBE, Secretary General of the International Working Group on Women and Sport, welcomed Sport Ireland’s signing, highlighting its importance as a substantial step forward for gender equality. She emphasised the positive influence that this alignment with the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration will have, further amplifying efforts towards inclusivity and fairness across Irish sport. Sport Ireland’s Chairperson, John Foley, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ongoing necessity to foster an environment that actively encourages female participation across all levels.
Nora Stapleton, Director of Women in Sport at Sport Ireland, reinforced the significance of this event, pointing out that signing the declaration aligns perfectly with the mission of Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport Week. Throughout the week, a variety of activities and initiatives took place to emphasise practical and actionable strategies that address gender imbalance in sports participation and leadership.
The week's events included thematic days and targeted activities designed to inspire and engage women of all ages. On International Women's Day, March 8, 2025, Sport Ireland collaborated with parkrun Ireland to encourage female participation in community-driven fitness events nationwide. These activities aimed to promote lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity, providing a platform for community engagement and awareness of gender equality initiatives.
Additionally, during the week, Sport Ireland showcased several Women in Sport programmes funded through their initiative, highlighting successful projects and the women behind them. One significant event, named 'Accelerate Action,' was held at the Sport Ireland Campus on March 7, with around 100 sport sector leaders attending. This event provided networking opportunities, knowledge exchange, and promoted leadership development for women in sport governance roles.
Sport Ireland continues to collaborate closely with national governing bodies, local sports partnerships, and community-based organisations. Their combined efforts aim to dismantle existing barriers to participation, foster female leadership, and guarantee diverse sporting opportunities for women and girls nationwide.
By signing the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, Sport Ireland reaffirms its dedication to advancing women's roles in sport, creating a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible sporting landscape. This action reflects their ongoing commitment to international standards, further solidifying Ireland’s position as a proactive advocate for gender equality in global sports contexts.
