Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Joins Global Movement for Gender Equity

The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport is proud to welcome the Switzerland based Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport as an official signatory of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.

The signing took place in person at the IWG Global Summit 2026 in Birmingham, the world's foremost gathering on gender equality in movement, physical activity, and sport.

By signing the treaty, the Global Observatory joins a collaborative network of over 700 organisations worldwide. The signing formalises the organisation's support for the Declaration's principles, which are already deeply embedded in its own mission to advance gender equality in and through physical education, physical activity, and sport.

As an international convenor dedicated to monitoring progress and driving systemic change, the Global Observatory shares its driving commitment with the IWG: connecting and engaging with actors actively working to make the sector more equal. Through this new partnership, the Global Observatory aims to further its collaboration with women's sport movements across the globe.

The Global Observatory serves as a vital bridge between academic research, policy, and practice, ensuring that decision making across the sector is evidence informed. To empower the wider sports community, the organisation offers its Knowledge Hub, an open platform that freely shares valuable research, strategic resources, and best practices.

Lombe Mwambwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport, shared:

"The Global Observatory is committed to translating research and convening expertise to ensure girls and women in all their diversity all over the world have access to physical education, physical activity and sport in a safe and inclusive environment."

Annamarie Phelps, Co Chair of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), added:

"We are thrilled to welcome the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport to our worldwide network of signatories. Having this milestone take place in person at the IWG Global Summit 2026 in Birmingham makes the moment particularly special. The Global Observatory's vital work in connecting research to practice perfectly complements our mission to drive lasting, evidence based change for women and girls across the entire sporting landscape."