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Tjongarero urges AUSC leaders to empower marginalised groups

• 2 Weeks Ago 16 December 2024

Sports minister Agnes Tjongarero has urged African Union Sports Council (AUSC) leaders to prioritise inclusion and empower women, girls and persons with disabilities in sports, recreation and physical education programmes.

Her call comes ahead of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games, initially set for 5 to 16 June 2025 but recently rescheduled to 4 to 13 July.

“It is time to thoroughly reflect on our efforts towards enhancing inclusion of women and girls, children and persons with disabilities in all our physical education, sport and recreation programmes and activities,” she said.

Tjongarero made the remarks at the opening ceremony of last week’s AUSC Region 5 Council of Ministers two-day meeting held in Windhoek under the theme: “A Progressive, Inclusive and Performing Region.”



‘Ensure athletes don’t miss life-changing opportunities’

The meeting, attended by sports ministers from the region, focused on key issues affecting sports and aimed to “strengthen the region’s position as a leading home of innovation and excellence.”

Tjongarero, who also serves as the chairperson of the Council of Ministers, called on her counterparts to recommit to creating sustainable solutions that ensure athletes do not miss life-changing opportunities like competing in the Region 5 Youth Games.

Highlighting the recent 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, she urged sports leaders to “invest more in providing opportunities for women and people with disabilities to excel at all levels.”



Tjongarero’s call heeded

By the conclusion of the meeting, the outcomes demonstrated that Tjongarero’s message resonated.

The final communique reaffirmed the council’s commitment to harmonising policies on inclusion and diversity in sports. It pledged to strengthen safeguarding mechanisms through policies and legislation aimed at eliminating all forms of abuse in sports.

“[The council appreciates] strides by member countries in harmonising women in sport and sport for persons with disabilities structures, and the need to build a case for sport on matters of inclusion and diversity,” the communique read.

Additionally, the council emphasised the urgency of combating menstrual poverty, gender-based violence, and all forms of exclusion. It also highlighted the importance of health promotion campaigns and youth empowerment programmes aimed at nation-building and addressing issues such as bullying and non-accidental aggression within the region.

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