About IWG

The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport is the world’s largest network dedicated to advancing gender equity and equality in sport, physical education and physical activity.

Every four years, the IWG Secretariat & World Conference moves to a new host nation.

One of the key aims of each Secretariat is to leave a legacy – something that supports the future development of the IWG and represents the work of the host nation.

Explore previous legacies below

2018-2022

Auckland, New Zealand

“Change inspires change”

Auckland, New Zealand

Between 14-17 November 2022, the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport took place in Auckland, New Zealand.

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2014-2018

Gaborone, Botswana

“Determine the future, be part of the change”

Gaborone, Botswana

Between 17-18 May 2018, the 7th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport took place in Gaborone, Botswana. Botswana’s legacy was introduced as, “the Big 5”, a set of five key strategic actions, each with an animal symbol, that the Secretariat sees as a necessary focus point to take advantage of the cultural wave demanding women’s rights, respect, and fairness in sport. “The Big 5” draws inspiration from Botswana’s biggest tourist attractions: the wild animal life. The implementation of the IWG Botswana Big 5 Legacy seeks to improve access to sports for women of all identities, cultures, backgrounds and experiences, improving their individual lives and the inclusiveness of their communities. Download to read more!

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2010-2014

Helsinki, Finland

“Lead the change, be the change”

Helsinki, Finland

Along with reaffirming the Brighton Declaration, originally launched in 1994, the Secretariat also approved an updated version, to embrace physical activity as an essential extension of organised sport, especially for girls and women. Take a look at Helsinki’s legacy the extended Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration on Women and Sport. You can find out more about the Brighton Declaration today by visiting here.

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2006-2010

Sydney, Australia

“Women: Play, Think, Change”

Sydney, Australia

Australia’s legacy was called the “Sydney Scoreboard” and it was focussed on increasing the number of women on boards and management committees of all sport organisations at the local, regional, and international level. The “Sydney Scoreboard” took form on a web-based scoreboard operating as a powerful online tool through which women in leadership roles within sporting organisations can be tracked both nationally and internationally in real-time.

2002-2006

Kumamoto, Japan

“Participating in Change”

Kumamoto, Japan

“The Kumamoto Commitment to Collaboration” is the legacy of the conference that presents a visual display of Asian characters symbolising Kumamoto Commitment to building a network with relevant agencies and individuals that realise gender equality in and through sport. Download the Kumamoto Commitment to Collaboration below.

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1998-2002

Montreal, Canada

"Investing in Change"

Montreal, Canada

“The Montreal Tool Kit” legacy presented at the world conference contained a collection of materials and ideas for increasing sport opportunities for women and girls. The toolkit highlights four key tools that contribute too, “Investing in change”: (1), Tools for advocating change; (2), Tools for Changing Organisations, Systems and Structures; (3), Tools for Individual Development; Lastly (4), Tools for Action. Download the Montreal Toolkit below.

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Table shot BJK Sue Neill Daniele Sauvageau.jpg

1998

Windhoek, Namibia

“Reaching out for Change”

Windhoek, Namibia

The conference took place at the end of the secretariat quadrennial in the United Kingdom (see below). “The Windhoek Call for Action” legacy is a set of strategic actions sent throughout the world to further the development of equal opportunities for girls and women to participate fully in sport. This call reflected an overwhelming desire on the part of all delegates to seek greater co-operation and co-ordination between the many agencies and organisations responsible for women’s issues, and recognised and stressed the importance that sport can and should play in the advancement of girls and women. Download the The Windhoek Call for Action below.

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1994-1998

Brighton, United Kingdom

“Women’s Sport and the Challenge of Change”

Brighton, United Kingdom

The Brighton conference marked the beginning of a strategic and coordinated international effort to bring about women’s equality in sport. The “Brighton Declaration on Women and Sport” is the first legacy endorsed to provide the principles that should guide action intended to increase the involvement of women in sport at all levels and in all functions and roles. It was updated in 2014 by the Helsinki Secretariat and can be viewed here.

The IWG is fully aligned to the 17x United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 5:

“Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”

Established in 1994, the IWG advocates and runs programmes globally year-round including the Insight Hub. It developed and remains guardian of the Brighton plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration, which now has the commitment of nearly 600 signatories worldwide.

Every four years it stages the IWG Global Summit - the largest gathering in the world to advance gender equity and equality in sport and physical activity.

The ninth edition IWG Global Summit will take place from the 9th to the 11th July 2026 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom.

Find out more at iwgwomenandsport.org/about