Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025

Our vision is a future where all disabled people feel they belong in sports and activities. As we mark IWD it’s important to recognise that statement could also apply to gender. All women and girls deserve the opportunity to take part, with International Women’s Day being an opportunity to share that message.

The day has been used to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness about discrimination and take action to forge gender parity since 1911. We have spoken to some of our team to see what belonging in sports and activities means to them.

Catherine Slater is Head of Partnerships at Activity Alliance. She said:

"Sport and activities are so varied from big sports, extreme sports to wonderful walks or pushes in the park, a menu of offers that should be accessible and open to everyone. People should have a choice and opportunity to watch, play, work or volunteer in a way that works for them. When participating in your chosen way the experience should be one that is supportive, meets individuals’ needs and most importantly their values, overall giving them a sense of enjoyment and belonging."

Ali Evans joined us in 2024 as Strategic Partnership Advisor for the West Midlands. She summed it up by saying:

"My sense of belonging is matched with deep gratitude for the trailblazers who came before me. As a disabled woman, I feel belonging in the spaces where I am not required to educate others about how to support my needs because work of exposure, learning, and cultural change has already been considered. I am able to show up as myself and engage in the experience, not as a teacher, but simply as a participant."

Agata Sromecka, Strategic Lead Organisational Health, said the following:

"Belonging in sport and activity means having the space to sweat, smile, and surprise myself – whether I'm lifting weights, dancing around the living room, or conquering a new challenge. It's about showing up exactly as I am, about freedom and the joy, in a community of likeminded people that celebrates what my body can do, not what it should look like."

Molly O’Brien, Senior Research and Insight Advisor, shared:

"To me belonging in sports and activities is a community of connection with others, enjoyment and purposeful activities in a supportive culture."

Our Annual Disability and Activity Survey Demographic Report 2023 found that gender plays a key role in how disabled people participate and experience being active. Disability compounds the challenges women in particular face. Disabled women have more negative experiences compared to both disabled men and non-disabled women.

In a gender equal world that would simply not be the case. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination would empower everyone to get involved in sport and activities in the way they choose.