Sport and Gender Based Violence Policy and Legislation: Country Profiles

Page | 1 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport SPORT AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE POLICY AND LEGISLATION: COUNTRY PROFILES 10 December 2025 In Collaboration With Page | 2 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport About the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport The Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport (GO) monitors progress towards gender equality in sport+. The GO is a global convenor and repository of research and expertise on gender equality and sport, physical education, and physical activity – or sport+ for short. The GO is creating a knowledge pool on women & gender related issues and bringing together diverse actors in sport in order to tackle them. The GO is an international NGO based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Established in July 2021 with the support of UNESCO and the Swiss Confederation, the GO is an initiative originated from UNESCO’s 4th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport (MINEPS IV) in Athens, Greece, in 2003. The commitment to the GO was reinforced by the 2017 Kazan Action Plan (KAP) at MINEPS VI, in Kazan, Russia and further reaffirmed at MINEPS VII in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2023, with support from over 100 member states. About Global Sport Policy Tracker Developed and led by Emily Cameron-Blake, a sport policy specialist, and other experts from academia, non-governmental organisations, charities, and from international advocacy groups in physical education, physical activity and sport (PEPAS). The Global Sport Policy Tracker is both a live dataset of sport policies and frameworks, and a tool for researchers and practitioners. The Global Sport Policy Tracker was developed to fill a void in systematically collected sport policy data - allowing for proper comparison of policies and frameworks in sport, internationally. Recommended Citation: Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport, & Global Sport Policy Tracker. (2025). Sport and Gender-Based Violence Policy and Legislation: Country Profiles. GO, Lausanne (Version 2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17879756 Note: This version includes updates in the Australia country profile edited for accuracy. Research and Report Development: Emily Cameron-Blake, Global Sport Policy Tracker Project Collaborator at Global Observatory: Lombe Mwambwa Report Design & Layout: Arshia Arora, Global Observatory License: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 You are free to: Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially. Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms. Under the following terms: Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits. Acknowledgements: The Global Observatory acknowledges with gratitude the support and contributions of the members of the GO staff, Expert Groups, partners, and stakeholders for their support to the work of the Global Observatory and to this initiative. Thank you to Global Sports Tracker for the partnership and contributions to the development and continued implementation of this study. Global Observatory supported by: Page | 3 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Table of Contents Table Des Matières Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Australia ........................................................................................................................................... 7 Canada ........................................................................................................................................... 10 France ............................................................................................................................................. 13 India................................................................................................................................................ 16 Ireland ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Mexico ............................................................................................................................................ 22 Morocco ......................................................................................................................................... 25 Nigeria ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Rwanda .......................................................................................................................................... 31 Sweden ........................................................................................................................................... 34 Switzerland .................................................................................................................................... 37 Zambia ........................................................................................................................................... 40 Annex: Additional Resources ....................................................................................................... 44 Page | 4 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Introduction The Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport (GO) aims to monitor progress towards gender equality, including progress in combatting gender-based violence, in sport. The GO undertakes tracking of state actions towards creating safe and inclusive sporting environments. In partnership with Global Sport Policy Tracker, the GO undertook a study to map policy and legislative actions across 12 countries which encompasses: Types of GBV related criminal offences; Age of minority and consent; Duty to report child abuse; Mandatory screening for sport workers; GBV and Sport Laws and Policies; and Treaties and Reservations. This is part of the GO`s initiative to monitor policy and legislative action to prevent and respond to genderbased violence in sport as an indicator of gender equality. Prevalence and impact of gender-based violence (GBV), violence directed against a person because of that person's gender (including gender identity/expression) or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately, has long been an issue at all levels of sport and physical education, but has increasingly come to the public attention as requiring urgent consideration. (See: CEDAW, Council of Europe, Maputo Protocol, UNESCO) Forms of GBV in the sporting context include sexual, physical, psychological/emotional, verbal, economic, and forms of discrimination and grooming. How each country defines and deals with these forms of violence vary as greatly as the circumstances in which they may occur. The behaviours and forms of violence which are considered to be criminal offences in one country may differ drastically from another. Similarly, while almost all countries have legislation on preventing and addressing forms of violence against children – the definition of a child and age at which an individual is no longer considered to be a child for certain forms of violence typically range from 11-18 years. Women may also be considered a particularly vulnerable or protected class of people, benefitting from an extended list of behaviours and forms of violence which are considered to be criminal offences. However, despite these criminal legislations, and legally protected peoples, whether these forms of GBV experienced in the sport context or environment are contemplated under criminal law, or whether all sport participants are protected by some other policy or legislation remains to be determined. Extensive mapping of the policies and legislations that cover and protect all sport and physical education participants in each country is required to determine whether individuals are falling through the gaps and remain at particular risk of GBV in sport globally. Further, the levels of sport participation covered by specific codes and regulatory oversight vary and are not uniformly applicable across the spectrum of recreational to elite sport. These variations leave room for some groups to be unprotected from certain forms of violence/prohibited behaviour. The Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport in collaboration with Global Sport Policy Tracker therefore developed a study to map the national policies and legislation related to GBV and Sport. Page | 5 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Framework of the Policy and Legislative Mapping of GBV and Sport To discern where sport participants may be at increased risk of GBV - and where they may also be lacking legal or regulatory protections from GBV - it is necessary to first systematically map the policy and legal landscape of forms of GBV in the sporting context, in each country. To do this, the following framework was developed and applied in this study: • International Conventions and Charters: For any international conventions or charters that the country is a signatory - indicate whether they have made any comments/reservations to any part of the text o Does this include to a potential protected class of peoples (for example LGBTQ+ populations, etc). • Forms of Gender Based Violence: For each form of GBV in sport (physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, verbal, economic, grooming, discrimination) determine whether a country’s legal system includes or contemplates it, and whether it is deemed to be a criminal offence, or whether other existing policies contemplate these forms of behaviour as GBV. o Determine whether the form of GBV is contemplated for all people, or whether just for certain groups (i.e., women, children, disabled, etc) o Identify the groups who are not contemplated by legislation or policy • Context of Sport in Which Legislation is Applicable: For each form of GBV, indicate whether the associated legislation contemplates the behaviour in a sporting context. If so, is it in one or all of the following: o Elite sport o Sport/physical activity o Physical education o E-sport (online sport environments) • Actions and Mechanisms Addressing GBV: Determine whether there are any National action plans, policies or strategies on combatting GBV o Do they include sport at any level? • Legal Age of Consent: Determine the legal age of children vs adults for each country • Screening Requirements: Determine the minimum screening requirements for those who work in sport o With children o Vulnerable groups (and how are they defined in country?) o With all other sport participants (especially adults) • Public Registry of Sanctioned Persons: Indicate whether there is a public registry of those who have been found to be sanctioned for offences in sport (at all levels, or just some levels?) Page | 6 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Dataset Publication and Free Access The data collected through this study will be useable for both qualitative and quantitative data analysis processes, ensuring that the context and nuance of varying policies and legislations on GBV are incorporated. This report presents the briefs per country, the full dataset and code book are available for free download on the GO repository and project Github page. In this first report, data from 12 countries has been collected; Australia ,Canada, France, India, Ireland, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sweden, Switzerland, Zambia All data collected will be shared and disseminated in a FAIR manner: findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Data will be collected and distributed through the Global Observatory Knowledge Hub and GitHub repository under a CC By license, in partnership with the Global Sport Policy Tracker. The country profiles and dataset are a useful resource for governments, researchers, advocacy groups, and media practitioners and others. The second phase of the project will extend the dataset with entries covering more countries. The Global Observatory invited collaborators to join the project and welcomes wide use and circulation of the data. Page | 7 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport AUSTRALIA Page | 8 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Australia's Comprehensive Framework for Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Sport and Child Protection Australia has established an extensive series of policies and frameworks addressing gender-based violence (GBV) that explicitly recognize sport environments as critical spaces requiring intervention and prevention strategies. This approach combines national plans, sport-specific integrity frameworks, and child protection principles to create comprehensive protections, particularly for women, girls, and children. National GBV Plan and Definitions The National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032 explicitly identifies sporting organizations as having a vital role to play in ending GBV. The plan lists sporting clubs as possible sites of sexual violence and harassment, while recognizing men and boys as sports players who must be part of the solution. Sport organizations are specifically identified as places where prevention approaches must be embedded. The Outcomes Framework sub-outcome 3.5 indicates that “gender equality, positive relationships, and positive masculinities are promoted across the community including in faith-based, sporting, entertainment, educational institutions, digital spaces, the arts, and media organisations”, highlighting sporting spaces are key to driving cultural change with regard to GBV. Australia's definition of GBV aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, recognizing GBV as violence rooted in historically unequal power relations that view women and girls as subordinate to men and boys. The plan acknowledges that 95% of people who have experienced physical or sexual violence identify a man as the perpetrator, and approximately 4 in 5 family and domestic violence offenders are men. Violence encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, financial, and technology-facilitated abuse, occurring across all settings including sport environments. Sport-Specific Frameworks Australia combats abuse in sport, including forms of gender-based violence, through Sport Integrity Australia's National Integrity Framework, which establishes comprehensive policies addressing discrimination, harassment, child abuse, and sexual misconduct across all sport levels and all types of participants, and the Safeguarding in Sport Continuous Improvement Program (SISCIP). The SISCIP is underpinned by the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, and the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The SISCIP is designed to help sporting organisations to build their capability to provide safe environments for children, young people and all members to participate in sport. This includes protecting them from abuse, providing safe and inclusive experiences and highlighting that safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone involved in sport. Sport Integrity Australia also provides independent reporting channels for abuse in sport including the Safe Sport hotline offering anonymous reporting capability year-round. However, there are limitations to what forms of abuse or GBV can be reported directly to SIA. Forms of abuse and GBV that fall within the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy can be directly reported to SIA, while forms of abuse and GBV that fall within the Member’s Protection Policy Page | 9 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport (with the exception of discrimination) are reported to the sport body in which the harm occurred, not directly to SIA. This difference in reporting channels means that adult victims of GBV may fall outside of the scope of SIA’s remit and protection. As each sport may have varying degrees of protection offered by their Complaints Disputes and Discipline policy, consistency in addressing abuse and GBV of adult sport participants may vary. The National Sport Strategy 2024-2034 explicitly mentions gendered violence and other violence relating to children and all sport members under its safety priorities. The Empowering Women and Girls in Sport Integrity Program specifically tackles critical issues including abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, victimization, and vilification, aiming to identify integrity threats facing women and girls in sport. Victoria's state-level initiative, "Safe and Inclusive Sport – Preventing Gender-Based Violence," provides guidance applicable to all sport levels, and is an example of how states are tackling GBV in sport. Announced in 2024, Australia's National Gender Equity in Sports Governance Policy mandates that by July 2027, 50% of board directors, chairs/deputy chairs, and specified sub-committee members must be women and/or gender diverse. The Sport Governance Standards require boards to demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by setting composition goals, ensuring no single gender exceeds 50%. This structural change in governance addresses power imbalances that may enable gender-based violence in sport. Child Protection and Legal Framework The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030 lists sporting organizations as having key roles in providing services to children in child-safe ways. The legal adult age is 18 in Australia, though sexual consent ages vary by state and territory: 16 years in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Australian Capital Territory; 17 years in South Australia and Tasmania. Australia maintains mandatory reporting requirements at state and territorial levels for all forms of child abuse. Higher Education and Emerging Issues In 2024 Australia developed and proposed the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence, with accompanying legislation requiring institutional compliance with the code passing Parliament in August 2025. However, this code does not specifically mention sport. The Online Safety Act 2021 addresses technology-facilitated violence, relevant to esports and gaming environments. Australia participates in the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, recognizing interlinkages between technology-facilitated violence against children and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Indigenous Communities The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 aims to end gender-based violence in one generation, though it does not specifically mention sport, reflecting the need for culturally appropriate approaches, and potential further expansion. Page | 16 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport INDIA Page | 17 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport India's Evolving Approach to Addressing GenderBased Violence in Society and Sport India has taken significant steps to address gender-based violence (GBV) in society and sport, though implementation remains inconsistent and challenged by systemic gaps. The country's approach combines general legal provisions, specialized workplace protections, domestic violence legislation, and newly enacted sport-specific laws to create frameworks for prevention and accountability. National GBV Framework and Legal Protections India's legal framework addressing GBV includes several key pieces of legislation. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act provides civil remedies for women experiencing domestic abuse, establishing protection orders and support mechanisms. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act of 2013 addresses workplace harassment, though its application to sport environments faces limitations. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) specifically criminalizes sexual offenses against minors, providing crucial protections for young athletes. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) contains provisions addressing physical assault and various forms of violence, though procedural challenges often hinder effective implementation. Reporting Mechanisms and Implementation Challenges The Indian government has established women's police stations, police desks, and One-Stop Centres throughout the country for reporting crimes and accessing support services. According to 2021 data, implementing women's police stations has increased domestic violence reporting rates, demonstrating some success in creating accessible reporting pathways. Training programs on GBV exist for police, judiciary, and medical officers to improve response capabilities. However, policing remains inconsistent in GBV cases, with some officers taking no action, refusing to register cases, or encouraging reconciliation rather than pursuing justice. This inconsistency undermines victims' access to protection and accountability, particularly affecting athletes who face additional barriers in reporting abuse by coaches or officials in positions of authority. Sport-Specific Challenges Before 2025 Before August 2025, India lacked comprehensive sports-specific legislation addressing athlete protection from harassment, abuse, or mental health crises. Consequently, incidents fell under generic laws, which proved inadequate for sport contexts. The 2013 Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, while often applied to sports environments, has limited effectiveness because sports settings operate outside traditional workplaces, making it difficult for athletes to initiate complaints. Many cases go unreported due to the informal nature of sports environments, procedural challenges, and athletes' reluctance to report incidents to authorities who may be personally connected to perpetrators. Harassment and abuse remain critical issues for Indian athletes, manifesting in multiple forms. Physical abuse occurs through excessive training, forced participation, physical punishment, overworking, and practices leading to injury and trauma, particularly in high-performance settings like gymnastics and boxing. Sexual harassment and exploitation result from poorly defined boundaries between coaches, officials, and athletes, with high-profile cases in wrestling and gymnastics communities highlighting the power imbalances Page | 18 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport between athletes and authorities. Psychological and emotional abuse is prevalent in high-performance environments, where athletes face immense pressure from coaches, peers, and family members, leading to manipulation, bullying, and emotional coercion. These forms of abuse often intersect, creating environments where athletes feel isolated and silenced. The absence of specific legal structures has led to alarming rates of unreported cases. Landmark National Sports Governance Bill 2025 In August 2025, India became the 21st country to enact comprehensive sports law through the National Sports Governance Bill. This landmark legislation mandates that all National Sports Body boards must include at least four women and have athlete representation, addressing power imbalances and ensuring diverse perspectives in sport leadership. Critically, all sports must follow the forthcoming National Safe Sport Policy, which will ensure protection and safety specifically for women and minor athletes. The Bill establishes a tribunal for disputes, with all costs covered by the Indian government, removing financial barriers to justice. While the Safe Sport Policy has not yet been developed or published, its mandated implementation represents significant progress toward systematic athlete protection. Page | 19 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport IRELAND Page | 20 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Ireland's Approach to Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Society and Sport Ireland has developed a comprehensive framework addressing gender-based violence (GBV) through national strategies, sport-specific policies, and child protection legislation. While explicit integration between national GBV strategies and sport remains limited, Ireland has implemented innovative partnerships, governance structures, and safeguarding frameworks to protect athletes and promote violence prevention throughout the sport sector. National Strategy and Legal Framework Ireland's Third National Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategy establishes the country's overarching approach to addressing GBV in society, though it does not explicitly mention sport, physical education, or physical activity. The age of sexual consent in Ireland is 17 years nationally, and Ireland maintains a mandatory duty to report child abuse at the national level, creating legal obligations for citizens to report suspected cases to authorities. Sport-Specific Initiatives and Game Changer Project Despite the absence of sport in the national GBV strategy, Ireland has developed targeted initiatives recognizing the sector's critical role in prevention and awareness. The "Game Changer" project represents Ireland's most direct sport-sector response to GBV. This three-year partnership between the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ruhama, and White Ribbon Ireland aims to raise awareness and drive action through sport to tackle domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. The project leverages sport's cultural significance and community reach to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, positioning athletes, coaches, and sport organizations as active agents in preventing GBV. This grassroots approach recognizes that sport environments can either perpetuate or challenge the gender norms and power dynamics that enable violence and GBV. Ireland also has a National Observatory on Violence against Women and Girls which monitors progress on violence against women in Ireland. Their 2022 report indicated the need for delivering GBV awareness education to young people in sports settings. National Sports Policy and Governance Framework The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and its accompanying Sports Action Plan provide Ireland's strategic direction for sport development. While the policy does not explicitly address genderbased violence or abuse in sport, it contains one mention of "violence against women" as an international focus issue and references safeguarding children in sport as a priority. This limited explicit attention to GBV in the foundational policy document suggests potential gaps in systematically addressing violence and abuse within sport environments. However, Ireland has established robust governance structures through the Governance Code for Sport, which became mandatory for adoption by all sport organizations by the end of 2021. This tiered framework establishes accountability standards and operational requirements for organizations receiving public funding, creating infrastructure through which safeguarding and welfare policies can be implemented and monitored across the sport sector. Page | 21 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Child Protection and Safeguarding Framework The 2015 Children First Act provides a clear framework for ensuring children and young people are safe and protected. Sports bodies receiving public funding must demonstrate full compliance with all statutory requirements, including developing mandatory Child Safeguarding Statements. This legislative requirement creates baseline protections for young athletes and establishes accountability for sport organizations. Sport Ireland's Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport provides comprehensive direction specifically for the sport sector. Sport Ireland's Safeguarding Audit Framework (Appendix 3) supports National Governing Bodies (NGBs) in strengthening adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures, setting expectations beyond statutory requirements of the Children First Act. Sport clubs must ensure all members are vetted through the National Vetting Bureau or Access NI, creating screening mechanisms to prevent individuals with unsuitable backgrounds from accessing vulnerable young people. Additionally, sport clubs must implement codes of conduct incorporating safeguarding practices, establishing behavioural standards and reporting mechanisms. Athlete Welfare and Anti-Harassment Policies Sport Ireland's Athlete Welfare Policy requires each National Governing Body to maintain a bullying and harassment policy, establishing minimum standards for addressing interpersonal violence and abuse within sport environments. This requirement ensures that organizations have formal mechanisms for preventing, reporting, and responding to harassment and bullying behaviours that can constitute or facilitate gender-based violence. Ireland has also addressed school-related genderbased violence through dedicated guidance documents examining violence in educational settings, recognizing that young people experience violence across multiple contexts where they participate in physical activity. While sport is not directly addressed, school sports remain an environment in which children can experience GBV. Gaps and Future Directions Despite these frameworks, notable gaps remain, including the absence of explicit GBV language in the National Sports Policy and limited integration between the national GBV strategy and sport sector initiatives, suggesting opportunities for stronger alignment and more comprehensive athlete protection across all participation levels. Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport MEXICO Page | 23 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Mexico's Approach to Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Society and Sport Mexico has taken significant legislative steps to address gender-based violence (GBV), particularly through groundbreaking digital violence legislation, though comprehensive sport-specific frameworks remain underdeveloped. The country's approach combines child protection definitions, criminal law reforms, and technology-focused violence prevention to create protections for women and girls across society, with implications for sport environments. Protections for Children from Violence and Harm Mexican law establishes clear age-based categories for protection: a minor is defined as anyone under 18 years of age, a child is under 12 years, and an adolescent is between 12 and under 18 years. These definitions provide frameworks for age-appropriate protections and inform consent laws and safeguarding requirements. Mexico has also criminalized grooming, recognizing that predatory behaviours often begin with manipulation and boundary violations before escalating to physical abuse—a pattern particularly relevant in sport settings where coaches and officials hold positions of trust and authority over young athletes. In 2023 the Federal Criminal Code was amended to accommodate the concept of grooming (encouraging, enticing, by digital means, Article 199 Septies). Landmark "Olimpia Act" and Digital Violence Legislation On January 22, 2020, the Government of Mexico City published the "Olimpia Act" (Ley Olimpia), also known as the "Digital Violence Act," representing groundbreaking legislation addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The initiative, proposed in February 2019, aims to criminalize anyone who, under any circumstances, transgresses against women's dignity through digital means. The reforms modified the Criminal Code for Mexico City and the Law on Women's Access to a Violence-Free Life in Mexico City, adding critical protections against digital violence. In 2021 the Federal Government of Mexico incorporated the Olimpia Act into the Federal Law on Women’s Access to a Violence-Free Life (Chapter 4), applying it country wide. The Olimpia Act defines violence against women as acts committed through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), internet platforms, social networks, or email that threaten women's integrity, dignity, intimacy, freedom, and private life, causing psychological, physical, economic, or sexual harm in both private and public spheres. Prohibited behaviours include harassment, threats, insults, dissemination of false information, hate messages, and non-consensual sharing of intimate content including texts, photographs, videos, personal data, or other graphic or audio materials, whether authentic or altered. This is particularly relevant for female athletes whose careers and livelihoods exist largely in the public sphere, through social media. Implications for Sport Environments While Mexico's legislation does not explicitly reference sport, physical education, or physical activity settings, the enhanced penalties for abuse within teacher-student, employment, and subordination relationships directly apply to sport environments where coaches, officials, and administrators hold power over athletes (Federal Criminal Code Article 209 Bis). The digital violence provisions are acutely relevant given the increasing use of social media in sport contexts, where athletes face heightened vulnerability to image-based abuse, harassment, and exploitation, but may only apply specifically to Page | 24 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport women under the law on violence against women. Technology-facilitated violence in sport can include non-consensual sharing of locker room images, cyberbullying by coaches or teammates, sexual harassment through digital communications, and online harassment campaigns targeting all athletes, including female athletes. This leaves male athletes potentially vulnerable to digital harm in sport, and beyond. Mexico’s National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE) is the main governmental body responsible for regulating sports in Mexico, and they published a Code of Conduct for Sport in 2023 outlining ethical requirements for those who work in sport, or who “although not public officials, collaborate in achieving the objectives and goals of the public policies on physical culture and sport established by CONADE”. This implies that these ethics, including zero tolerance for physical, sexual, emotional, or any form of violence (Section 7.2), are mandated for all those who fall under the umbrella of sport (participants, coaches, volunteers, etc). The 2025-2030 National Program for Physical Culture and Sports indicates safe sport as a priority area for the next five years. Future Directions Mexico's progressive digital violence legislation establishes important legal protections applicable to sport contexts. However, developing consistent and comprehensive sport-specific safeguarding frameworks, reporting mechanisms, and athlete welfare policies applicable throughout the Nation would strengthen protections for athletes experiencing gender-based violence in training, competition, and digital spaces associated with sport participation. Page | 25 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport MOROCCO Page | 32 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Rwanda: Gender-Based Violence and Safe Sport Overview Sports Governance Structure Rwanda's sports sector is governed by Law No. 32 of 2017, the Law Governing Organisation of Sport, Games and Leisure. This legislation codifies antidoping regulations and establishes the structure and governance of sport at various levels throughout the country. The law provides the foundational framework for sports administration in Rwanda, though it contains no mention of safe sport or gender-based violence (GBV) in sport. National Sports Policy Framework The 2024-2029 Sports and Culture Sector Strategic Plan outlines Rwanda's vision to build a vibrant and professional sports industry. The plan identifies two primary outcomes: increased revenues generated from sports, and increased participation in sports activities to boost Rwandans' health, wellness, and economy. Key strategies include constructing world-class sports infrastructures, hosting international events, establishing national talent development programs, strengthening governance and management capacity of sports organizations, and attracting private sector investment. The plan emphasizes organizing sports for all, with special attention to women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, and proposes establishing a National Sports Authority (NSA-RWANDA) with an associated sports development fund. Despite these comprehensive objectives and specific attention to vulnerable populations including women, the strategic plan contains no mention of GBV prevention or safe sport initiatives, representing a significant gap in Rwanda's sports policy framework. National Legislation and Gender Policy Rwanda has enacted several relevant legislative frameworks addressing gender-based violence. In 2008, Rwanda adopted Law No. 59/2008 on Prevention and Punishment of Gender-Based Violence, providing a national legislative framework specifically addressing GBV. Additionally, Prime Minister's Order N°001/03 of 11/01/2012 establishes modalities for government institutions to prevent and respond to GBV by outlining their responsibilities, including implementing prevention programs, ensuring swift intervention for victims, and setting up "one-stop centres" at health facilities for emergency care and legal assistance. The order also details responsibilities for reinforcing anti-GBV committees, providing poverty reduction programs for vulnerable groups, and coordinating information sharing on prevention activities. The most current version of the Rwanda National Action Plan includes contributions to UNSC Resolution 1325, which focuses on GBV. Rwanda's criminal code contains important protections in Article 133, indicating that sexual relations between individuals aged 14 and 18 years is not criminal unless it involves force, threats, or exploitation based on vulnerability. Rwanda’s Revised National Gender Policy (2021) promotes gender equality across all sectors by strengthening legal frameworks, institutional accountability, and inclusive development. It emphasizes eliminating gender-based violence, empowering women and girls, and integrating gender perspectives into education, health, governance, and economic planning. The policy aligns with international commitments like the SDGs and AU Gender Policy and supports child protection Page | 33 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport through gender-responsive services and laws, however there is no mention of sport or sporting environments as focal areas for addressing GBV. Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting Regarding mandatory reporting obligations, there is no evidence that a duty to report exists for the general population in Rwanda. However, certain professions are required by policy and practice to report suspected cases. Despite Rwanda having Law N°71/2018 of 31/08/2018 Relating to the Protection of the Child, and Article 29 stating that "involving a child in sport activities harmful to his/her health" is considered criminal activity, there is no indication that a duty to report abuse against a child in sport exists, nor are there screening requirements for those who work with children in sport. Safe Sport Developments Based on available information, there are no documented safe sport initiatives or developments in Rwanda's sports sector. The Rwanda Sports Strategic Plan 2023-2028 contains no mention of safe sport or gender-based violence prevention. There is no unified or central Rwandan policy or strategic action plan on safe sport or safeguarding in sport. Assessment and Gaps Rwanda presents a significant disconnect between national GBV legislation and sports policy. While the country has robust frameworks addressing gender-based violence nationally (Law No. 59/2008, Prime Minister's Order N°001/03) and child protection (Law N°71/2018), these have not been integrated into sports governance. The absence of safe sport provisions in both the foundational sports law and current strategic plan represents a critical gap. There is no indication of mandatory screening for those working in sport with minors, leaving individual organizations without unified national guidance. Rwanda urgently needs to develop comprehensive safe sport policies that bridge existing GBV and child protection legislation with sports-specific safeguarding standards, reporting mechanisms, and accountability structures. Page | 34 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport SWEDEN Page | 35 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Sweden: Gender-Based Violence and Safe Sport Overview National Legislation and Gender Policy Sweden has extensive policies and action plans on GBV/VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls), including the Free and safe without violence and oppression action programme for the period of 20242026. However, there is no specific mention of sport within these broader national GBV prevention frameworks, indicating a potential gap in integrating national violence prevention strategies with sports-specific contexts. Sweden has enacted robust legislations to combat violence against women, including expanding the principle of consent in sexual offences within the Swedish Criminal Code. This legislative framework makes forced marriage and female genital mutilation crimes, demonstrating Sweden's comprehensive approach to gender-based violence prevention. Regarding child protection, Sweden, as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, imposes a moral duty to report on all adults. This means that all adults who know about or suspect that a child is being abused or treated with violence must report it to relevant authorities. However, only certain professions and types of organizations, such as schools and health centres, are obligated by law to report suspected abuse or harm of children. This is legislated through the Social Services Act, Chapter 14. Legal Age of Child and Age of Consent in Sweden In Sweden, a child is defined as anyone under 18 years of age, consistent with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The age of consent for sexual relations is 15 years old. However, if a person over 18 years is in a position of trust or authority over a 15–17-year-old, the age of consent is raised to 18. As long as proper consent is acquired and no position of trust exists, sexual relations between a person over 18 and someone aged 15-17 are not illegal under Swedish law. Sports Governance, Policy and Safe Sport The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is the overarching branch of government responsible for sport policy within Sweden. Sweden's sports sector operates under the governance of the Swedish Sports Confederation (Riksidrottsförbundet), which has created a document on creating safe and inclusive sports environments, with guidelines for how sport organizations should approach safe sport and policies. Additionally, Sweden has established a Sports Ombudsman program specifically designed for reporting safe sport issues, providing an independent mechanism for addressing concerns related to harassment, abuse, and discrimination in sports. These initiatives reflect Sweden's commitment to creating safe and inclusive sporting environments, though the effectiveness of these programs depends on their implementation across all levels of sport and continued monitoring and evaluation. Since 2018 sport in Sweden has been led by Strategy 2025 as the guiding policy for the sport sector, with the new strategy/policy Swedish Sport 2035 coming into effect in 2026. While this new strategy mentions safe and inclusive spaces and gender equality as priorities, it does not directly address gender-based violence in sport. The strategy represents Sweden's vision for creating an equitable and accessible sports environment, though the specific mechanisms for preventing and responding to GBV and violence within sport require further elaboration through complementary policies and action plans. Page | 36 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Assessment and Gaps Sweden presents a relatively advanced framework for addressing GBV and safe sport compared to many countries. The country has strong national legislation on violence against women, mandatory reporting requirements for suspected child abuse (with enhanced obligations for certain professions), and sports-specific safeguarding initiatives including the Sports Ombudsman program. However, a critical gap remains: while Sweden has extensive national policies on GBV/VAWG and a national sports strategy that mentions safe spaces, there is no direct integration between these frameworks. The national action programmes addressing violence against women do not specifically mention sport, and conversely, the sports strategy does not directly address gender-based violence prevention, nor are the safeguarding initiatives mandatory. To strengthen its approach, Sweden should explicitly integrate GBV prevention into sports policy, ensure that sports professionals understand their reporting obligations under the Social Services Act, and continue developing the Sports Ombudsman program as a model for athlete protection. The existing foundation is strong, but bridging the gap between national GBV policy and sports-specific implementation would create a more comprehensive and effective safeguarding system that protects all participants of sport. Page | 37 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport SWITZERLAND Page | 38 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Switzerland: Gender-Based Violence and Safe Sport Overview National Legislation and Gender Policy Switzerland has made amendments to criminal legislation to better account for different forms of domestic violence, including provisions for those both in and not in relationships. These amendments include the addition of stalking to the criminal code and provisions addressing female genital mutilation, demonstrating Switzerland's commitment to comprehensive legal protections against gender-based violence. Switzerland's National Action Plan for the Istanbul Convention addresses gender-based violence prevention across multiple sectors. Objective 31 specifically focuses on "Raising awareness among sports instructors/leaders in the training and further education programs of the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO)," representing a direct effort to integrate GBV prevention into the sports context. Regarding child protection, there is no general duty to report suspected child abuse for the general population, however all professionals who regularly work with children are legally obligated to report suspected or known child abuse, and some Cantons may have more stringent requirements than others, creating variability in child protection enforcement across the country. Sports Governance Structure Sport organisations in Switzerland are largely selfgoverned, with the Federal Office for Sport (BASPO) serving as the centralized service, education, and training centre within the Swiss Government. There is no centralised source of national sport policy; instead, the Federal government acts as a funder and promoter, while Cantons and municipalities implement sport at the local level. Swiss Olympic acts as an umbrella organisation/governing body for individual Swiss Sports Federations, which in turn are governing bodies for specific sports. In July 2024, the Disciplinary Chamber of Swiss Sports was replaced with the Swiss Sports Tribunal, an independent judicial appellate body responsible for resolving disputes and imposing sanctions, particularly regarding doping and ethical violations (including safe sport violations). Safe Sport Policy and Ethical Standards Switzerland has implemented far-reaching reforms in response to well-publicised cases of athlete abuse, particularly in gymnastics. The Swiss government mandated that sports associations must comply with a number of new reforms to sport governance and ethical statutes approved by the Swiss Parliament in 2021 to continue receiving state funding. An independent reporting office with investigatory powers and a disciplinary body with sanctioning powers were introduced to ensure accountability. Based on their umbrella governance role in sport through Article 18 Para. 2 of the Federal Act on the Promotion of Sport and Exercise (SpoFöG) and Article 72c ff. of the Regulation of promotion of sport and exercise (SpoFöV), Swiss Olympic developed the Statutes on Ethics in Swiss Sport, binding industry standards in collaboration with FOSPO, published in 2024, in effect from 1 January 2025. These statutes establish requirements for federal funding eligibility, focusing on good governance practices and adhering to the Charter of Ethics. Sports organizations must incorporate recognition of the ethics charter, ethics and doping statutes, and recognition of Swiss Sport Integrity and the Page | 39 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Swiss Sports Tribunal bodies into their statutes. The establishment of Swiss Sport Integrity as an independent body represents Switzerland's commitment to robust safeguarding mechanisms. Additionally, from 1 Jan 2025 Switzerland requires a mandatory women's quota of 40% on Olympic and national sport boards, promoting gender equity in sports leadership. Background Checks and Screening in Swiss Sport While background checks are standard practice in some employment sectors in Switzerland, such as finance, banking, and health, there are no statutory regulations requiring background checks in other sectors, including sports. The sports sector remains self-governed in this regard. Although it is considered best practice to conduct background checks on those who work with vulnerable persons, there are no legal requirements for sport organizations or for those working with children. Notably, the Ethics in Sport Charter also does not include any background check requirements. However, one exception exists within the Federal Act on the Promotion of Sport and Exercise. Article 10 indicates that in circumstances where there is reason to believe or suspect that a person has committed a criminal offense that is incompatible with their position as a "Youth and Sport" leader, the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) shall conduct checks on the person concerned. This provision applies specifically to Youth and Sport leaders and is reactive rather than preventive, requiring suspicion or belief of criminal activity before checks are conducted, rather than requiring proactive screening of all individuals working with children in sport. It is also unclear as to whether this requirement stands when the individual in question would be working with adult sport participants. Assessment and Gaps Switzerland has made significant progress through its mandatory ethical code, independent reporting and disciplinary mechanisms, and gender equity requirements. The integration of GBV awareness into Federal Office of Sport training programs represents systematic abuse prevention efforts. The decentralized nature of child protection reporting requirements across Cantons creates inconsistency in safeguarding implementation. While Switzerland's approach to sport emphasizes self-governance with federal oversight through funding compliance, ensuring consistent implementation of safeguarding standards across all Cantons and sports organizations remains an ongoing challenge. Page | 40 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport ZAMBIA Page | 41 Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport Zambia: Gender-Based Violence and Safe Sport Overview National Legislation and Gender Policy Zambia has enacted comprehensive legislation addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and gender equality. The Anti Gender-Based Violence Act 2010 defines various forms and acts which may constitute gender-based violence and establishes clear procedures for how GBV is to be dealt with from the point of complaint through protection orders and criminal offenses. Importantly, the Act lays out the details for the Gender-Based Violence Committee responsible for monitoring and making recommendations on actions against GBV, and for the development of a GBV Fund to support and rehabilitate victims of GBV in Zambia. However, there is no mention of sport or physical activity within this legislation, representing a gap in applying GBV prevention frameworks to the sports context. The Gender Equity and Equality Act 2015 lays out all forms of discrimination against women as being illegal. Part V, Article 28.2(c) specifically lays out the requirement of the government to ensure the participation of women, on an equal basis with men, in recreational activities, sports, and all aspects of cultural life. This provision recognizes the importance of gender equity in sport and recreation, though it focuses on access and participation rather than safety and protection from violence. In 2016 the government amended the Constitution of Zambia, establishing principles of equality and non-discrimination, providing for a Gender Equality Commission, and underpinning the antiGBV legislation including the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act (2011) and Gender Equity and Equality Act (2015). It supports GBV Fast Track Courts while permitting customary law that may conflict with constitutional equality principles. Zambia's National Gender Policy 2023 on GenderBased Violence The 2023 National Gender Policy recognizes Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as a public health issue and a violation of human rights. While GBV affects both sexes, most victims are females and perpetrators are predominantly males, due to unequal power relations between men and women, boys and girls. One of the Policy's main objectives is to eliminate all forms of Gender-Based Violence, with measures including strengthening legislation and enforcement of GBV laws, improving knowledge and practices on GBV prevention and response, promoting female and male partnership in fighting GBV, and increasing access to essential services for victims. Zambia Police Service reported 33,536 GBV cases in 2022 compared to 20,540 in 2021, showing a 63.3% increase, with 76.5% of victims being female. However, the National Gender Policy 2023 only mentions sport when referring to the various ministries and organizations of Zambia and their respective responsibilities. There is no comprehensive discussion of gender-based violence prevention in sport, safeguarding mechanisms, or specific strategies for addressing gender inequality and safety concerns within sporting contexts. The policy focuses primarily on participation and access rather than protection and safety for athletes.