The Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport: A Catalyst for Change in Physical Education

Résumé

This article synthesises a lecture by Dr. Lombe Mwambwa, CEO of the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport, on the organisation's mission to advance gender equality in and through sport, with a significant focus on physical education (PE). The central thesis is that achieving safe and inclusive PE for all girls and women requires a multi-stakeholder, evidence-based, and intersectional approach. The Global Observatory positions itself as a crucial intermediary, aggregating data and bridging the gap between policymakers, academics, and practitioners. The article outlines the Global Observatory's key functions, including its digital knowledge hub, its systematic mapping of global and national policy frameworks against commitments like SDG 5, and its development of indicators to measure progress. It highlights the organisation's focus on underserved populations, such as women and girls with albinism and deaf women and girls, and its efforts to track women's leadership in the Sport for Development (SDP) sector. The article also addresses critical challenges in knowledge mobilisation, including the accessibility of research and the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration. It concludes by summarising the Global Observatory's call to action, urging the PE community to reflect on its power, adopt an ethic of care, and engage in collaborative efforts to ensure that gender equality remains a central and actionable priority.