Saudi Arabia has been praised as the International Judo Federation has held its second virtual gender equality round table ©IJF

The second International Judo Federation (IJF) online round table on gender equality attracted representatives from numerous National Federations, including Saudi Arabia.

Organised by the IJF’s Gender Equality Commission, the event celebrated judo’s relative success in this area while highlighting pathways to maintain and improve on the gains already made.

Larisa Kiss, the IJF's international relations expert, claimed that the gender equality initiatives had “taken off in many places around the world”.

There remained plenty of work to do, though, she admitted.

"We still need to work as there are still places were the process is slower," Kiss said.

"We have to keep promoting gender equity and equality.

"In judo, we have had good results already and in not such a long period of time."

Kiss identified Saudi Arabia as a country where progress was made being made, with the country only having had its first female competitor in the Olympics at London 2012 when Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani represented her country.

Saudi Arabia has made great strides in gender equality since Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani, in white, became the first woman to represent it in the Olympics at London 2012 ©Getty Images
Saudi Arabia has made great strides in gender equality since  Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shaherkani, in white, became the first woman to represent it in the Olympics at London 2012 ©Getty Images

"We don't need to be modest or shy because in judo we have strong women, judo is definitely made for women," Kiss said.

"The recent example set by Saudi Arabia is significant, since London 2012 and the first appearance of a female KSA athlete at the Olympic Games.

"From then to what we see the Federation is doing to promote women’s judo now is fantastic and can be set as an example.

"The sector that we have to focus on is women in leadership positions.

"I truly believe that when people want to make a change, they can do it."

IJF Gender Equality Commission chair Sanda Corak believes more women are needed in senior leadership roles at National Federations ©IJF
IJF Gender Equality Commission chair Sanda Corak believes more women are needed in senior leadership roles at National Federations ©IJF

IJF Gender Equality Commission chair Sanda Corak urged the audience to promote women into senior leadership roles. 

"Women and girls represent half of the world's population and therefore half of its potential, while gender equality is a fundamental human right," she told delegates.

"In order to empower girls and women in judo and to bring the first solutions, the IJF 'recommends that the gender representation in the governing bodies of member National Federations and continental unions should be at least 25 per cent for the least represented gender'.

"The IJF strategy can help National Federations to develop their own strategy."