ASEAN Urged To Strengthen Women's Leadership, Coaching Roles In Sports
GEORGE TOWN, June 24 (Bernama) -- ASEAN member countries must develop clear, time-bound plans to advance gender equity in sports, particularly in leadership and coaching roles.
Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said many national sports bodies across Southeast Asia struggle to meet the 30 per cent target for women's representation in leadership.
"Data shows that women represent less than 20 per cent of accredited coaches in ASEAN. Coaching remains male-dominated, often excluding women due to unconscious bias and the lack of role models.
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"We need a clear, time-bound plan to move from intention to action," she said when delivering her keynote address at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Conference on Gender Equity in Sports 2025 here today.
She pointed out that if the lack of quality women coaches is a concern, it may be time to introduce measures such as having a national registry of women coaches, together with targeted assistance to ensure continuous improvements for those who are qualified.
Hannah said that each country's National Action Plan must also include robust media strategies to highlight women's contributions and address essential issues such as Safe Sport and mental health.
"Malaysia has already laid this foundation through the Safe Sport Code, launched in 2023, which promotes dignity, respect and protection from harassment and abuse in all sporting environments.
"Malaysia is also guided by our National Sports Vision 2030 (VSN 2030), a long-term framework aimed at building a competitive, inclusive, safe and progressive sports ecosystem," she said.
In Malaysia, she said that 1,187 organisations (government agencies, sports bodies, and NGOs) have signed their commitment to the Safe Sports Code and 3,769 staff, coaches and athletes have to date completed the Safe Sport Course under the National Coaching Academy.
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