Australian Minister for Sport addresses UNESCO's Change the Game Sport Conference in Paris

Australian Minister for Sport, Anika Wells has addressed UNESCO's Change the Game Sport Conference in Paris, taking the opportunity to highlight how the Federal Government's women in sport investments have progressed gender equity.

Minister Wells addressed the conference's Session 3, "A Game Plan for Gender Equality in and through Sport".

In July and August 2023, Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the FIFA Women's World Cup, in which the Government invested more than $85 million.

In Paris, Minister Wells outlined to UNESCO the significant impact and legacy investing in women's sporting events had created.

• The FIFA WWC attracted two million ticket sales, a tournament record.

• The Matildas' semi-final match against England attracted the largest Australian viewing audience (11.15 million people) in the history of free to-air ratings.

• The WWC increased visibility of women's sporting in Australia by more than 92%.

• 18.6 million viewers watched the tournament broadcast in Australia.

• The WWC generated $1.32 billion economic impact.

• 88% of locals had increased pride in Australia while 93% felt an enhanced community spirit, pride and enjoyment.

There remains significant work to do to progress gender equity but these results prove women's sport can be both outstanding and popular.

Top level international women's sport will come back to Australia with an unprecedented sequence of major events in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Australia hosted the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and is preparing to host AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, the Netball World Cup 2027 and the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2029.

The Australian Government is also driving gender equity from community to elite level, through the $200 million Play Our Way program.

Play Our Way is providing grants to local governments and sports clubs to create changerooms and playing environments where women and girls feel safe and welcome.

Last year, the Australian Government established a Safe Sport phone hotline, which anyone can call if they experience discrimination or unfair treatment in sport due to their gender, sexual orientation or culture.

Australia's team for the Paris Olympics also has its highest proportion of women ever, at 55%.

Minister Wells noted "I used to hear people say 'women's sport is having a moment' but this isn't a moment, this is momentum.

"This isn't a phase, it's a phenomenon.

"I truly believe gender balance in sport in Australia has been permanently improved by the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup."

MOre information on UNESCO's Change the Game Sport Conference in Paris