More than 800 delegates from 80 countries gathered in Birmingham last week as the UK brought its four-year hosting of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport to a close with the IWG Global Summit.
The Summit marked the culmination of the UK's hosting of the IWG Secretariat from 2022-2026 and brought the organisation's flagship event back to its roots more than 30 years after the movement was founded in Brighton.
IWG is the world's largest network dedicated to advancing gender equality in sport and physical activity, connecting leaders, organisations and advocates from around the globe to share ideas, champion positive change and accelerate progress for women and girls in sport. The organisation is also custodian of the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, a global commitment to gender equality in sport signed by more than 600 organisations worldwide.
Over three days, delegates explored some of the most pressing opportunities and challenges facing sport through discussions on leadership, investment, visibility, innovation and participation.
Highlights from some of the speakers from the Olympic and Paralympic movement included:
Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee, set out her vision for a new model of leadership, where female sports leaders no longer feel pressure to lead like men and instead forge new ways of leading with empathy, care and a commitment to athletes and their wellbeing.
Professor Laura McAllister CBE, Vice President of UEFA, shared insights on how to make change happen, including the importance of listening, patience and choosing your moment to act.
Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics, encouraged international federations to follow the example or World Athletics in building pathways and support networks for female leaders, backed by constitutional reforms that have mandated equality.
Sally Munday, Chief Executive of UK Sport spoke about the importance of building resilient and sustainable sporting systems that endure beyond individual funding cycles, highlighting how long-term investment, strong governance and strategic partnerships can create lasting opportunities for women and girls in sport.
The Summit also provided an opportunity to reflect on a significant four-year period for women's sport in the UK.
Since taking on the IWG hosting baton from Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022, IWG UK has brought together global leaders working to advance gender equality in sport. This has strengthened collaboration between organisations including the IOC, UN Women and UNESCO, as well as supporting the continued growth in signatories to the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration.
The hosting period has also coincided with a landmark era for women's sport in the UK. Record breaking audiences and incredible performances at major events, including UEFA Women's EURO 2022 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, have further strengthened the UK’s reputation as a world leading host of women’s sport.
We have also seen a significant milestone in gender equality in international sports leadership, with British women now comprising more than 50% of all British elected officials on the boards of international Olympic and Paralympic sports federations.
As the Summit drew to a close, delegates looked ahead to the next chapter of the movement. The hosting baton was passed to Brazil, which will lead the IWG through the next four-year cycle ahead of the 10th IWG Global Summit in 2030.
Reflecting on the Summit, Sally Munday, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said:
"It has been a privilege for the UK to host the International Working Group on Women & Sport during a period that has seen unprecedented growth in the visibility, profile and impact of women's sport, both here in the UK and across the world.
"The connections forged, the ideas shared and the partnerships strengthened through the IWG will continue long after this Summit. We are proud of the role the UK has played in supporting a global movement that is working to ensure every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive through sport."