The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) launched its Women in Sport Commission, a call to action to empower girls and women to participate in sports and become decision makers.

“This is in fact a historic moment for the Jamaica Olympic Association. It is the first time that we’re inaugurating a Women in Sport Commission, a mandate that has been articulated for several years by the International Olympic Commission (IOC) and which has gained expression in several countries,” said Christopher Samuda, the JOA president, during the launch at its Kingston headquarters, Olympic Manor, this week.

“One of the mandates of the Women in Sport Commission is to build character, particularly in our young women … so that in any circumstance a young woman may find she will rise and be an example to others in sport,” Samuda added. “We’re very happy that this is happening; it is long overdue.”

Nichole Case is chairperson of the Commission working in sport to eliminate gender bias, increase participation and advocate women’s leadership.

“Our objectives are to eliminate gender bias — by actively influencing the portrayal of women in sports to advocate equality and eliminate biases; increase participation — by encouraging and creating opportunities for girls and women to participate in sports as athletes, coaches and administrators; and advocate women’s leadership — by providing leadership and talent development to inspire and mentor other women and girls to grow and develop their sport,” Case outlined.

At its launch this week, the body named as its first IOC 2018 Women in Sport honoree, Yvonne Kong, for her work in promoting the development and participation of women and girls in sport. A veteran in sport who pioneered several education programmes, including a Masters in Physical Education at G C Foster College, she has been a champion for the under- privileged and has been instrumental in ensuring gender equity in the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship opportunities for women across different sports here in Jamaica.

President of the Jamaica Badminton Association, Case, identified three of the Women in Sport Commission’s key focus areas for 2019 as Market Research and Data Collection, Execute a Women in Sports Empowerment event, and launch a year-long Women in Sports awareness campaign.

For Market Research and Data Collection, they will garner data to understand the factors that have impacted the decline of females participating in some sports and the factors that generate good participation levels.

The execution of the Women in Sports Empowerment event aims to teach and develop leadership skills that will empower more women to participate in various aspects of sport, while the Women in Sports Awareness Campaign strives to heighten the recognition of women who are actively contributing across various areas of sport, encapsulating athletes (junior and senior), coaches and administrators.

Ryan Foster, general secretary of the JOA, advised that the JOA has established a working group to govern the Commission’s operations.

“The JOA has established a women’s working group, which will govern the operation of the JOA Women Commission. The primary objectives of this working group is to look at the establishment of the constitution of the Women’s Commission and the various initiatives and strategies that will govern the operations of the Commission,” said Foster.

Case said the Commission was established in accordance with the IOC Charter and will function in an advisory capacity that enables its global partner to support the development of its programmes and structures.

The Commission will report on the development and implementation of an IOC Women in Sport strategy; advocacy for increased participation of women athletes in the Olympic programme and in leadership positions in the Olympic Movement, promoting the rights and well-being of women and girls in and through sport and greater access to sports for girls and women; recognition of achievements of individuals and organisations promoting women in and through sport, including through the Women and Sport Award; development and dissemination of IOC’s position on women and sport issues, and monitoring and regularly reporting on the progress of the Olympic Movement in meeting gender equality.