To advocate and advise on the strategies and policies to obtain the full inclusion of women and girls at all levels of Paralympic sport and the Paralympic Movement and identify barriers that restrict participation, recommend policies and initiatives to increase participation.

Established to provide advice and consultation to the IPC on issues of gender equity in Paralympic Sport.

Membership: The Women in Sport Committee shall normally be comprised of six members, including the Chairperson and five members at large. The Committee meets at least once a year.

Function: To advocate and advise on the strategies and policies to obtain the full inclusion of women and girls at all levels of Paralympic sport and the Paralympic Movement and identify barriers that restrict participation, recommend policies and initiatives to increase participation. The Women in Sport Committee was formed in response to the repeated concerns of the IPC Membership regarding the low participation of women within the Paralympic Movement. The committee also reviews existing IPC initiatives and policies including research and data collection, universality wild card system, publications and solidarity funding allocation.

In 2003, the IPC General Assembly adopted a policy on gender equity. The policy states all entities belonging to the Paralympic Movement shall immediately establish a goal to have at least 30 percent of all offices in their decision making structures be held by women by 2009. This report gives an update on the progress made towards achieving the target included in the policy.

Status: Became active in 2002. Changed from a Commission to a Committee in November 2004.

Contact Person: Amaranta Acosta, NPC Relations and Development Manager (Americas), amaranta.acosta@paralympic.org