Our Transnational Organisation clients include:
In 2020, UNESCO commissioned a Feasibility Study into the creation of a Global Observatory for Women, Sport, Physical Education, and Physical Activity to address the need for stronger international coordination and accountability on gender equality in sport.
Athlead was appointed as Project Manager, leading extensive data collection and consultation with stakeholders ranging from civil society and governments to international federations, sponsors, and transnational organisations, while carefully navigating diverse and sometimes competing interests.
Using a collaborative, coalition-focused approach, Athlead translated these research findings into a quadrennial strategy and business plan, supported by operational frameworks, governance policies, and strategic recommendations. The Global Observatory was successfully launched in 2023, and Athlead continues to support UNESCO and other UN agencies in advancing gender equality initiatives in sport worldwide.
In 2023, Athlead’s CEO, Kat Craig, co-authored the Handbook on Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport, published by UNESCO and UN Women with support from the UN Spotlight Initiative. The Handbook provided prevalence data, identified policy and practice gaps, and offered actionable guidance for designing survivor-centred reporting systems, safeguarding frameworks, and prevention strategies.
The Handbook equipped global policymakers and sports practitioners with a practical toolkit to strengthen protections against gender-based violence. By combining data, survivor-centred approaches, and structural recommendations, it advanced the agenda for safer, more equitable sporting environments worldwide. Read the Handbook here