The European Union, in a statement delivered on 23 June 2026 at the UN Human Rights Council's panel discussion on women and girls in sports, urged governments to advance gender equality in international sports governing bodies, highlighting persistent inequalities in visibility, investment, and pay. The statement noted that not a single woman featured among the 50 highest-paid athletes in Forbes' 2025 ranking, according to UN Women, and pointed to structural challenges including online harassment, unequal media access, and limited leadership opportunities.
The EU's intervention at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva drew on its own policy framework: the European Commission's High-Level Group on Gender Equality in Sport published a comprehensive action plan and recommendations in 2022 covering participation, coaching, officiating, leadership, social and economic aspects, media coverage, and gender-based violence. The EU also supports the joint EU–Council of Europe All In Plus project, which strengthens data collection and exchanges of good practices among public authorities and sport organisations.
The statement framed sport as a vehicle for resilience, leadership, and solidarity, and called safe and inclusive sporting environments a prerequisite for the full enjoyment of human rights. The EU's remarks come as the football World Cup in North America draws global attention, contrasting with the lower visibility of women's competitions.
The statement reinforces pressure on international sports federations and national governments to address gender gaps, potentially accelerating policy changes in media coverage, investment, and leadership quotas. For women and girl athletes, stronger EU advocacy could improve access to funding and protection from harassment. Sports governing bodies may face increased expectations to report on gender equality metrics. EU member states and the European Commission are likely to continue funding projects like All In Plus, which benefits researchers and policy analysts working on gender equality in sport.