WHY
A “CIRCLE OF WOMEN”?
In previous games, women participants
were a minority and represented on average only
30% of registrants. To create a legacy for the
LGBT and sport communities, the Montréal
2006 Organising Committee has taken a special
interest in this “feminine phenomenon”,
building strategies to increase the number of
women participants.
The Circle of Women will be composed
of about a dozen women working closely with the
Montréal 2006 Organising Committee, coming
together as often as possible to review strategies
and develop ideas with the goal of welcoming more
women to this historical event.
MANDATE
Since its beginning,
the Montréal 2006 Organising Committee
has sought to increase the involvement of women
in 1st World
Outgames activities. The creation of the Circle
of Women is part of this ongoing mission. Its
mandate will be to support the presence of women
in the Outgames by encouraging registration and
ensuring a women-oriented programme during the
Outgames.
A diverse range of cultural
programming for women will be essential in building
enthusiasm and excitement for the Outgames. With
these concrete actions we hope to increase the
overall registration of women. The Circle will
explore options for activities and propose programming,
in close collaboration with the Montréal
2006 Organising Committee.
PROFILE
Diversity is
the hallmark of the Circle of Women. Bringing
together women of different backgrounds who are
active in fields such as culture, sport and women’s
rights, the Circle will create a synergy for new
approaches and strategies to attract women to
the Outgames. The women of the Circle will be
innovators and organisers of various initiatives,
using their networks to increase the representation
of women. They will share a common desire to exchange
ideas and experiences with other women during
the Outgames, and are personally or professionally
involved in the women’s community of their
city of origin.
ACTIONS
The Outgames
will be a rare occasion for women from around
the world to come together through athletic activities
and to create a sense of community through sport.
To complement the sport programme, the Circle
of Women will be at the forefront of developing
cultural programming, creating varied and original
activities that offer something for every woman.
The women of the Circle will use their networks
to diffuse information on women and lesbian-oriented
activities using, for example, newsletters of
their respective organisations to disseminate
information in targeted cities on specific activities
and initiatives.
The Circle of Women is about women
building networks and growing empowered by sharing
their knowledge and experience. Join us in celebrating
how far we have come while continuing to work
toward positive change and new opportunities.
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