IWG Delivers Keynote Speech at 2024 SAWASF National Advocacy Conference

IWG’s Secretary General, Lisa O’Keefe MBE, delivered one of the keynote speeches at the recent 2024 South African Women and Sport Foundation (SAWASF) National Advocacy Conference, which took place in Pretoria, South Africa on 31st August.

Joining the conference remotely, Lisa delivered her keynote plenary session on the topic of “The need to identify Change Champions to lead the acceleration of progress in Women and Sport”.  The presentation drew on evidence from members of the IWG network of networks, to share what we are learning when it comes to delivering sustained impact for women and girls in and through sport.

Lisa stressed the importance of having an intentional plan with allocated resources, meaningful targets and appropriate evaluation to enable learning to shape delivery. She also focused on the impact of sustained investment, and the need to fix the system, not the women.

Attended by 120 women working in sport from National Federations, Universities, NGO’s and the media, the event covered a range of topics including an in-depth review of the Women in Sport Policy of South Africa and a discussion on strategies to build capacity, consensus and creating a common purpose.

Lisa said:

“The role of IWG Women and Sport is to share research and insights with organisations and individuals looking to enhance opportunities for women and girls in and through sport.

“The SAWASF National Advocacy Conference was a great opportunity to not only share learnings from across networks, but also to listen and better understand the opportunities and challenges of working in and through sport in South Africa. I am grateful to SAWASF’s Founder and Chairperson Muditambi Ravele and her colleagues for inviting me to join this year’s event.”

Read and download: IWG Women and Sport 2022 Progress Report

View and download the presentation slides