Amman, April 14 (Petra) – His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein, President of the Jordan Olympic Committee and member of the International Olympic Committee, underscored that achieving gender equality in sports is vital for the progress of societies.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the second Gender Equality Commission Symposium of the Olympic Council of Asia, held in Brunei Darussalam, Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of adopting inclusive and adaptable approaches that reflect Asia’s vast cultural, social, and economic diversity.

He called for intensified efforts to dismantle barriers, challenge stereotypes, and empower women at all levels from grassroots participation to executive leadership roles.

"We cannot allow challenges to become excuses. Asia, as the largest continent in the world, not only has the capacity to bridge the gap, but also to lead global efforts toward change," Prince Faisal said, according to a statement issued by the Jordan Olympic Committee on Monday.

He stressed the need for effective policies to ensure gender balance and equitable representation in all aspects of sports, reiterating that gender equality has been a central element of his vision since joining the Olympic movement at both national and international levels.

His Royal Highness also highlighted the inextricable link between gender equality and athlete safety, emphasizing the need to build safe sporting environments free from harassment and abuse. He reaffirmed that protecting athletes must remain a priority, and that fostering gender equality would strengthen the Olympic Movement, making it more inclusive, relevant, and inspiring for future generations.

Prince Faisal concluded by stressing that genuine progress in equality depends on unwavering commitment to integrity. He urged National Olympic Committees to embed gender equality into their core strategies and daily operations, reflecting the Olympic Movement’s values of diversity and unity.

The symposium’s first day included workshops focused on gender equality in sport, along with discussions on key challenges and opportunities facing the Asian sports landscape and strategies to address them.

//Petra// AJ

14/04/2025 15:40:24