“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.”
The theme of this International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
“When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.”
IFMA would like to take the opportunity to celebrate the continued progress towards gender equality and what the IFMA family will continue to do on and off the field of play. Sport with no doubt is one of the most powerful platforms to promote equality and inclusion empowering athletes in all their diversity.
IFMA has been at the forefront in promoting gender equality since the early 1990’s and has been inspiring inclusion through the power of sport.
IFMA is proud to be the pioneer of female development in muaythai, officially starting the development of female muaythai around the world and putting female categories in place during official competition programmes. During this time, IFMA implemented and pioneered an innovative worldwide strategy driving the ideals of gender equality in muaythai.
In 1995 the World Muaythai Council was established and it was then that IFMA and WMC joined official forces to regulate female participation and everything which goes with it from coaching, referee, medical and development in countries where females, by culture, don’t have access to the same rights as their counterparts.
From officially launching weekly Muay Ying Female competitions in 1997 at Rangsit Stadium to the Islamic Republic of Iran sending their first female team in 2008 which then inspired other Islamic countries like Afghanistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Morocco, Turkey and Kazakhstan to bring female teams, to gender parity being reached in elite divisions at the 2018 World Championships in Cancun, Mexico to, offering equal male and female divisions in all IOC recognized multi-sport events IFMA stands for the theme of this 2024 International Women’s Day theme of #InspireInclusion .
Through IFMA’s groundbreaking development in driving gender equity, organizations such as UN Women and UNESCO have recognized IFMA’s efforts and given awards for IFMA’s Gender Equality Initiatives.
Female development has also opened up opportunities and responsibilities for women as referees, coaches, managers and leadership positions within the sport’s national governance teams.
IFMA believes that Every Body should have and must have their given right to take opportunities towards their dreams, and it is our responsibility to ensure this possibility. The practice of sport is a fundamental right for everybody and females are no exception.
Happy International Women’s Day from the IFMA Family. Thank you to the IFMA leadership, our national federations and our athletes that continue to #InspireInclusion.
