Ada Milby: Gender equality imperative for Asia Rugby

Asia Rugby are identifying a number of influential women in the region as part of this year’s International Women’s Day.

In Ada Milby, Asia Rugby has a World Rugby and Asia Rugby Council Member who updated us on the developments she has seen in the region.

Today, the world celebrates International Women’s Day and rugby in Asia has a lot to celebrate in the development of Women’s Rugby in the region. Globally in 2017, there were more females joining the Game than males for the first time in history.

In Asia, between 2012 and 2018, there was over 500% increase in the number of females playing throughout the region. One third of Asia have achieved 40% of their total player base being female and one union (Laos), has achieved over 50% female players truly exhibiting gender balance.

Last December, Asia Rugby conducted a Leadership Forum and invited women from all over region to participate, network and engage in the Council meeting, encouraging a more diverse and robust conversation at the highest decision making level for Asia.

Asia Rugby is actively pursuing initiatives to achieve gender balance both on and off the field such as the Asia 1 Million project that aims to have a minimum 50% engagement from women and girls, the implementation of a safeguarding policy that seeks to remove barriers to entry by providing training for Coaches to provide safe spaces for youth to participate, and training for Asia Rugby staff to encourages supporting Unions with best practices for gender inclusion.

Through all these accomplishments, Asia Rugby recognises that there is still space to improve. We encourage all unions and clubs to celebrate your successes and continue to explore how you can be more gender inclusive in all your activities from the board room to the changing room as we promote #BalanceforBetter.