Speakers and participants at Judo Peru's seminar on the theme of gender equality ©IJF/Judo Peru

Judo Peru has held a seminar on the theme of gender equality, the first organised by the Pan American Judo Confederation (CPJ)’s Gender Equity Commission.

The seminar took place at the Machu Picchu lounge of the Novotel Hotel in San Isidro, Lima and was entitled "Let’s Talk About Gender Equality."

The Gender Equity Commission is chaired by Cuban Daima Beltrán, who is a double Olympic silver medallist, after taking second place in the women’s over +78 kilograms category at both the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics.

CPJ President Carlos Zegarra gave an opening speech, where he thanked Beltrán for "making this possible and for sharing life stories that manage to impact and motivate women to gain more spaces of opportunity based on their professional capacity."

CPJ President Carlos Zegarra, left, opened the Let's Talk About Gender Equality seminar, held in Lima ©YouTube
CPJ President Carlos Zegarra, left, opened the Let's Talk About Gender Equality seminar, held in Lima ©YouTube

Among the speakers was the President of the Peruvian Judo Sports Federation María Martínez, who spoke about her experiences and struggles to overcome barriers, including issues within sports leadership.

Secretary of the CPJ’s Gender Equality Commission Karen Artavia of Costa Rica, plus Johanna Orozco and Kimberlie Rivera from the Colombian Judo Federation, also spoke during the seminar.

Representatives from the various continental federations present also spoke about topics including equality, gender gaps, inclusion and women who made a positive impact throughout the history of Pan American judo.

Yuliana Bolívar, Peru’s first female medallist at the Pan American Games, who won women’s over +78kg bronze at Lima 2019, also shared her story with the audience.

The seminar, which was streamed live on YouTube, concluded with the message that female judokas were "agents of change", and that the CPJ recognises and values this.