World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont was a key presenter at the third IOC/ASOIF International Federation Gender Equality in Leadership Forum in Lausanne last week.

Electoral processes, gender-neutral portrayal and meaningful inclusion in decision-making roles – key themes of the recently launched International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Gender Equality Review Project recommendations – were at the heart of the discussions during the forum.

With more than 30 international federation representatives attending, the event provided a platform for leaders to discuss the review project findings and recommendations, share best practice, and seek new solutions to improve gender equality in sports leadership.

Beaumont, a champion for change within World Rugby, presented insights on the organisation’s strategy to balance the board in the international federation and accelerate the development of women in the sport.

Beaumont said: “I am honoured to have been asked to present at this important forum. Gender equality in leadership is a major focus for World Rugby, as it is all sports, and I was delighted to be able to share insights from World Rugby’s experience of implementing transformational governance reform at the heart of our decision-making bodies and share with our sport family colleagues the next steps in implementing the 2017-25 Women’s Rugby plan.

“We all have a responsibility within our international and national federations to develop and promote women leaders at all levels of sport.”

IOC President and HeforShe Champion Thomas Bach attended the morning session and kick-started the discussions, emphasising the need for “a two-way approach to make progress. We need on the one hand a top-down approach and other hand a bottom-up approach”. He also expressed certainty that the recommendations of the IOC Gender Equality Review Project would help enact effective change.

The electoral process was the theme of the first session, with the Forum discussing ways to develop strategies for a gender-balanced representation in governance bodies.

The following session tackled gender equal portrayal with avoiding bias and stereotypes in the representation of women and men a crucial step on the path towards gender equality, in all areas of life.

This session raised awareness on what constitutes gender bias, the powerful role of sports coverage in shaping norms and stereotypes, and how sports organisations can challenge these norms and set the tone to promote balanced coverage and portrayal of sportspeople – irrespective of gender. Concrete tools were shared with the leaders present, to positively influence how their female athletes are portrayed.

The Forum concluded by exploring how each organisation can ensure inclusion of gender equality in decision-making bodies with Beaumont among the panellists for this engaging session.

Covering five key areas – sport, portrayal, funding, governance and human resources – the 25 recommendations of the IOC’s Gender Equality Review Project create an actionable roadmap to work with all of the IOC’s partners and affiliates around the world to advance gender equality within the Olympic Movement and the global sports community.