The International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport is the world’s largest network dedicated to “Empowering women and girls – Advancing Sport“. It is fully aligned to the 17x United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 5: “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.
Established in 1994, the IWG developed and remains guardian of the Brighton plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration, which now has 550+ signatories.
The IWG is governed by the IWG Global Executive. It advocates for gender equity year-round, running programmes including the Insight Hub. Every four years, it stages the IWG World Conference, the world’s largest gathering of experts on gender equity in sport and physical activity, with 1500+ delegates.
The current IWG Secretariat 2018 – 2022 is held by New Zealand. The 8th IWG World Conference will take place in Auckland, New Zealand, 5-8 May 2022.
The IWG is a not-for-profit with funding from a mix of Grants & Trusts, Donations, Fundraising & Gifts and Commercial Partnerships.
You can help too by visiting Support Us.
Select Language
The IWG website is offered in English with automatic translation into French, Spanish and Arabic. Please go to the ABOUT menu bar to select language.
IWG Patron
Our new IWG Patron the Rt Hon. Helen Clark ONZ was announced on UN International Women’s Day, 8 March 2019.
IWG Global Executive
The International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport is governed by the IWG Global Executive, an international board made up of 15 positions.
Meet our IWG Members 2018 – 2022 and read about our IWG Former Members 1994 – 2018.
IWG Secretary General
Meet our current IWG Secretary General.
IWG Secretariat
The global IWG Secretariat – the administrative function – shifts every four years. The current Secretariat 2018 – 2022 is New Zealand.
IWG Strategic Plan
The IWG Mission is: “Empowering women and girls – Advancing Sport.”
The IWG Strategic Plan includes the following pillars: Leadership & Advocacy; Capability & Knowledge; Value & Visibility; and Connections & Engagement.
IWG Brand & Social Media
The IWG launched a new global brandmark and website on 1 March 2019, with all social media updated at the same time.
Support Us
Funding for IWG comes from a mix of Commercial Partnerships, Donations, Fundraising & Gifts and Grants & Trusts, which together make our leadership, research and advocacy work possible, together with global stewardship of the IWG Secretariat and the delivery of the IWG World Conference every four years.
We are incredibly grateful for any support we receive. You can help too. Visit Support Us.
Careers and Students
Inquire about Careers and Student placements.
Contact Us
The IWG Secretariat and Conference 2018 – 2022 is based in New Zealand. Find out how to Contact Us.