A diverse group of international leaders representing government, sports organizations, civil society, and development sectors gathered for a three-day dialogue co-hosted by Qatar Foundation and Wilton Park. The event, held under the theme ‘Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility,’ focused on transforming the potential of sport into tangible social progress. Qatar Foundation stands ready to help lead this effort.”. Ramson, Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Sheikha Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, used the platform to invite global partners to join a coalition aimed at turning international commitments into actionable policy. Building on the momentum of the 2025 UN Resolution 59/17, which was initiated by Qatar and co-sponsored by 71 countries including Morocco and Indonesia, she argued that current efforts must transcend simple parity.
Addressing the assembly, Sheikha Hind noted that the assumption of parity ignores the reality that female athletes face fundamentally different challenges. She cited high injury rates and significant dropout figures among adolescent girls as evidence that current sporting infrastructure is rarely designed with women in mind. She urged stakeholders to prioritize practical changes, such as integrating women into the design of athletic facilities, providing specialized coaching, and expanding scientific research tailored to female physiology. Stigma, and a research landscape that has largely ignored the needs of women and girls.”, they deal with safety risks.
The discussion emphasized that sport is an underutilized development tool. According to Sheikha Hind, access remains hampered by structural and cultural barriers that often remain invisible. She called for a deliberate, sustained agenda involving a coalition of partners committed to closing these gaps. Her call to action was supported by the presence of major organizations, including the International Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics, Olympism365, and the British and New Zealand Olympic Committees.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, highlighted the transformative power of sport in the Global South. During his opening address, he pledged that the upcoming General Assembly session would prioritize the 2030 agenda, human rights, and inclusive multilateralism. He noted that sport frequently alters how communities perceive girls, serving as a catalyst for societal change. Development practitioners, rights advocates, NGOs, and sport administrators, participants explored how the Global South can play a greater role in shaping international priorities and ensuring solutions reflect the realities of the communities they are intended to serve, bringing together policymakers. They were joined by representatives from organizations including the Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Right to Play, the Street Child World Cup, the Yunus Centre, NBA Africa, London Marathon Foundation, and FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball), as well as from QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University, the University of Oxford, and New York University.
Qatar’s role as a sporting hub continues to influence these initiatives. Building on the legacy of the 2006 Asian Games—which it is set to host again in 2030—and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has focused on creating pathways for all athletes. The Qatar Foundation has facilitated the participation of over 70,000 women and girls in events at Education City Stadium during the last two years.
Specific programs, such as ‘Creating Pathways,’ have nurtured over 1,000 young female athletes in sports ranging from tennis and basketball to fencing and track and field. Furthermore, the ‘Circle In’ initiative—a collaboration between Qatar Foundation, the International Olympic Committee, and Education Above All Foundation—is currently supporting sport-for-good projects in 10 countries, targeting marginalized communities and people with disabilities. And Olympic fencing medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad also attended, alongside The Honorable Charles S, leading athletes including sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
Victoria Nussbaumer, Executive Director of the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, echoed the sentiment that safe and supportive environments are vital for every girl. She emphasized that the responsibility of the sports community extends beyond the court, requiring the creation of comprehensive career pathways in leadership, media, and photography.
Moving forward, Wilton Park and Qatar Foundation will collaborate on a roadmap to dismantle barriers for displaced communities, people with disabilities, and women. The dialogue covered strategies for international investors, methods for removing systemic obstacles, and ways to expand access across various regions. Wilton Park – an Executive Agency of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – and Qatar Foundation (QF) will now jointly develop a roadmap outlining actions, partnerships, and approaches to breaking down barriers that prevent women and girls, people with disabilities, and displaced communities from accessing and benefiting from sport. Describing sport as “one of the most underused tools we have for development”, Sheikha Hind said: “It builds confidence, mobility, leadership, and opportunity, especially for women and girls in impoverished communities.
The event concluded with a renewed focus on building a collective agenda. By deliberately assembling partners to address these structural issues, the organizers aim to ensure that current opportunities in sport become a lasting legacy for future generations of female athletes.
