OUR GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO CHAMPIONING EQUALITY FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
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SOURCE: Sport New Zealand | sportnz.org.nz
HON GRANT ROBERTSON MINISTER FOR SPORT AND RECREATION
Increasing female involvement in sport and active recreation at all levels is a key driver of this commitment, as well as recognising the power that gender balance has to positively change the social, economic and cultural future of our country.
I have made outcomes for women and girls my number one priority in the sport and recreation portfolio. We have an exciting opportunity to improve the opportunities, visibility and value for women and girls in sport and active recreation.
This document provides a strategic approach and promotes a focus on partnership with anyone in Aotearoa New Zealand who is interested in supporting women and girls to realise their potential in and through sport and active recreation.
It’s pleasing to see that real progress is already being made in this area. Collective bargaining agreement and pay equity for the Football Ferns, professional player contracts for the Black Ferns, as well as women winning more medals at both the Rio Olympics and Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Furthermore, the development of Newsroom site LockerRoom provides a new platform to showcase our women athletes, coaches and leaders, and helps provide the visibility they deserve. With a successful bid led by Women in Sport Aotearoa to host the International Working Group on Women in Sport 2018 – 2022, there is a tremendous platform for transformational change.
At grassroots level, locally led approaches such as Shift, HERA and This is ME have picked up the momentum of a global movement towards empowering women and girls through being active, recognising its value as a means to improve wellbeing and equity. Now is the time to provide strategic direction so as a country we can capitalise on that value and progress further, ensuring that the inequity and barriers women and girls face today will be a thing of the past.
It is my privilege to work alongside so many passionate and willing partners who are committed to providing a lasting legacy for women and girls in New Zealand sport and active recreation.
When everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential and make a contribution to society, we all benefit.
