Building a more inclusive and equitable future in volleyball
On International Women’s Day (IWD), the FIVB proudly reaffirms its commitment to empowering women through volleyball, both on and off the court.
Volleyball stands as the most gender-equal team sport worldwide. It is played and followed equally by both women and men, boasts a gender-balanced fanbase and ensures equal prize money for athletes. Through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, grounded in the motto “Together as One”, the FIVB is dedicated to further strengthening equal opportunities, alongside representation and investment for women in the sport, from grassroots participation to leadership roles.
Empowering women to shape the future of volleyball
The FIVB’s Strategic Vision 2032 is built on four pillars: professionalism, integration, empowerment and mass participation – with women playing a vital role in shaping all aspects of the sport’s future.
Louise Bawden, President of the FIVB Athletes’ Commission, which has equal gender representation among its membership, and an FIVB Volleyball Foundation Ambassador expressed her pride in being part of a movement that is committed to gender equality.
“Ensuring equal opportunities for women in volleyball is not just about representation – it’s about investment, leadership and creating real pathways for success,” said Bawden. “It is great that the FIVB continues to make tangible progress, from equality on the field of play to initiatives that empower women at every level of the sport, and I am proud to be part of a sport that champions gender equality. We are building a future where every woman and girl in volleyball – whether as an athlete, coach or leader – has the opportunity to succeed.”
Beyond the game: volleyball as a tool for change
In 2024, the FIVB launched the FIVB Volleyball Foundation with a mission to use the global reach and power of volleyball to uplift communities worldwide through impactful projects. At the heart of the Foundation’s work is its commitment to empowering women and girls both on and off the court.
By providing access to volleyball, education and personal development opportunities, the Foundation is working to break down barriers and empower women and girls, giving them the confidence to pursue their dreams and become leaders in their communities.
Creating more pathways for women in sport
The conversation around gender equality in volleyball took centre stage at the ‘Women in Sports: Creating Pathways’ seminar, held in Doha in December 2024. Hosted by the FIVB, Qatar Foundation, FIVB Volleyball Foundation and Qatar Volleyball Association, the event brought together Olympians, sports leaders and administrators to discuss how to expand opportunities for women – not just as athletes, but as decision-makers in sport.
Panel discussions included: “The Global Success of Women in Volleyball”, “Breaking Barriers: Women Athletes”, and “Creating a Sustainable Future for Women in Sports in Qatar”.
Making history: the first-ever women’s beach volleyball championship in the Middle East
The FIVB’s commitment to growing the women’s game was evident at the WAVA U20 Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship, held in December 2024. As the first-ever junior female beach volleyball event in the Middle East, the championship marked a historic step forward in expanding the sport’s reach in the region.
Hosted at the Al Gharafa Beach Complex, the event brought together young athletes from Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Kuwait. Supported by Olympic Solidarity under the IOC Youth Athlete Development Programme, this milestone event showcased the growing opportunities for women’s volleyball in the region and the broader commitment to empowering the next generation of female athletes.
Equal Jersey campaign
Since 2021, Volleyball World’s Equal Jersey campaign at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) has reinforced how the sport is championing gender equality. This initiative sees male and female players who share the same jersey number proudly wear each other’s names, making a powerful statement about respect, unity and equal recognition in volleyball. Stay tuned for more Equal Jersey activations at the VNL 2025!
A future of equal opportunity
From leadership development to grassroots initiatives, the FIVB continues to strive to ensure that women have the same opportunities as men to compete, lead and succeed in volleyball. The FIVB Volleyball Foundation is playing a central role in this mission, actively working to ensure women and girls are empowered around the world through volleyball.
QUICK LINKS
AVC Website: click www.asianvolleyball.net
AVC Facebook: click www.Facebook.com/AsianVolleyballConfederation
AVC Twitter: click: www.twitter.com/AsianVolleyball
AVC Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/avcvolley/?hl=en
Mikasa Instagram: click: https://www.instagram.com/mikasasports_official
AVC Youtube: click: Asian Volleyball Confederation
AVC WeChat: Asian Volleyball Confederation
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.