More than 100 sports journalists, both male and female, were nominated by National Olympic Committees from Africa, Asia and Oceania to attend the two-day workshop, which aims to raise awareness about the important role and contribution of the media in achieving gender equality in sport.

The workshop consists of several panel discussions and working groups related to the role of media in women’s sport participation including topics such as the media coverage of women’s events, portrayals of female athletes, promotion of women leaders and critical reflections of press commentary.

Several IOC members, including Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, President of the OCA, President of the African National Olympic Committees Intendant General Lassana Palenfo and Lydia Nsekera, chair of the IOC Women and Sport Commission, are among those attending the event, which began today and is due to coincide with the Doha Diamond League athletics meeting.

Also attending the workshop is President of the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee (QWSC) Ahlam Salem Mubarak Al Mana, who received the IOC’s World Trophy at the IOC Women and Sport Awards in 2013,  for her contribution to the development of women’s participation in sports and sports'  administration.

“The QWSC is working hard to further strengthen female participation in sport,” Al Mana said prior to the workshop.

“Positive promotion of female athletes and role models through the media will be essential to helping us achieve our targets and we are very much looking forward to discussing how this can best be achieved at the Women in Sport Media Workshop.”

The QWSC is aligned with the IOC’s Women in Sport Commission, which aims to promote and strengthening women’s participation in sport at all levels, while also including an educational and training programme helping to enable women to take leadership positions in sport movements.

IOC President Thomas Bach, recently named as a United Nation’s Women “HeForShe” Ambassador, as part of their solidarity campaign for gender equality and women’s rights welcomed the furthering of women’s role within sport.

“The IOC has long championed gender equality and the empowerment of women,” Bach said.

“Through our Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, we are even more firmly committed to using sport and physical activity to further this cause.

“We know that sport challenges gender norms and defies negative stereotypes.

“It helps break down barriers and challenges gender norms, not only on the field of play, but also in the workplace, in the home, in schools and in other aspects of society.”

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