American Samoa was represented during the first International Federation (IF) Women In Leadership Forum held in Lausanne, Switzerland earlier this month, by Irene Kane, president of the American Samoa Wrestling National Federation.
Kane was invited to attend the Forum by the International Federation United World Wrestling Federation, which, along with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), called on her to make a presentation and serve as a panel member, for the purpose of sharing her experiences as a female president for the American Samoa Wrestling National Federation.
"I was asked to prepare a presentation with my experiences on the barriers and solutions on a case study — 'Understanding the structure and systems and how to navigate within my International Federation, National Olympic Committee, and National Federations'," Kane explained.
She told Samoa News that the event was "to promote gender equality" and to encourage women to take on leadership positions and be part of the decision-making process within the sports in their international federations, national federations, and various other sports organizations.
She noted that gender equality has reached its goals for women athletes participating in the Olympics Games; however, this is not the case with the goals of reaching gender equality for women in leadership roles and the decision-making process within their own organizations.
The three-day forum included remarks from keynote speakers and panel members, as well as an open dialogue with all the participants. Incentive workshops were also carried out to provide growth for women in IFs and NFs; to enhance leadership and key communication abilities; to address the need for gender equality in sports; to gain a greater understanding of their strengths and talents as leaders in the Olympic movement and what impact they can generate as a result; to evaluate the situation of women in IFs and NFs and define the way forward; and to strengthen the women and sport network in IFs and NFs, and stimulate implementation of national and regional projects for women in sports.
According to Kane, at the end of the third day, all 60 female delegates representing the 25 national and international federations got together and discussed — with professionals — ways to promote action and awareness to encourage gender equality and increase the number of women who partake in leadership representation at all levels of sports.
The group was part of the first International Federation (IF) Women in Leadership Forum held in Lausanne, Switzerland earlier this month where a $10,000 USD Women and Sports Award was presented to Isabelle Sambou for her wrestling achievements. Pictured: (l-r) Irene Kane, President of the American Samoa Wrestling National Federation; Nenad Lalovic, International Federation President of United World Wrestling; Senegal female wrestler Isabelle Sambou; and leading administrator for Iran Wrestling National Federation who is trying to promote women's wrestling in Iran. [courtesy photo]
"It provided a pool or network for women in connection with the various sports organizations to refer and support each other, to communicate and contribute their advice of 'best practices and effective strategies to increase the number of women in leadership positions’.”
A 10-point action plan was produced as an outcome of the IF Women in Leadership Forum, to support gender equality in the various Olympic organizations and have evident impact in the practices of good sport governance.
The plan included IOC/Olympic Solidarity to consider more support for projects targeting women in leadership, such as:
a. Female Leadership Workshops;
b. Training for male leaders around gender equality;
c. Mentoring and coaching support.
The plan also encourages IFs to develop more family-friendly working practices for both genders.
“I am and will always be humbled and thankful to the International Olympic Committee, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federation and to my IF, the United World Wrestling for inviting and welcoming me to attend this empowering opportunity,” Kane said.