#ChooseToChallenge is the hashtag of IWD 2021.

The 2021 theme for International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge because

“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.

We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.

From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.”
(from www.internationalwomensday.com)

Gender Equity in focus
In the week leading up to the International Women’s Day, Badminton Europe (BEC) has published statements from key people in the organisation, the BEC Gender Equity Ambassadors and elite players:

- In badminton we need to apply fair treatment and opportunities to both genders. Gender Equity needs to be our priority.
Peter Tarcala, Badminton Europe President

- Gender Equity is an area that I feel strongly about, and I really want that opportunity as a Gender Equity Ambassador to work actively and help as much as I can to give back to this sport.
Jill O’Neill, BEC Gender Equity Ambassador

- Through hard work and dedication, I am able to train and play the sport that I love everyday. I believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to do the same.
Milan Dratva, Player at the Badminton Europe Centre of Excellence

- As a past player, I learned that talent, hard work, and resilience are a very powerful combination. I have taken that into my career post sports in recruitment and how I work: I want to work with people who embody those attributes regardless of what they look like.
Emma Mason, Badminton Europe Director

 - We place Gender Equity firmly within our BEC activities when appointing ambassadors who are launching activities with a powerful Gender Equity mindset in their countries and across Europe.
Klavs Andreassen, Badminton Europe Director and Gender Equity Chair

- In giving my life to sport, badminton has given me back so many opportunities. It has challenged me physically and mentally, taught me to overcome failure and to dream big.
Anna Mikhalkova, Player at the Badminton Europe Centre of Excellence

30 per cent is the target
Gender Equity in badminton constitutes a key subject – not only for Badminton Europe (BEC) but also for the Badminton World Federation (BWF). 

Both BEC’s terms of reference and BWF’s statutes aim to achieve a balanced gender representation in all badminton activities.

To achieve this general objective, Members are encouraged to work together with BEC to attract more participants from under-represented genders in all BEC activities. As a general target, Badminton Europe is working towards a minimum of 30 per cent participation of each gender in our activities.

Read more about the Gender Equity Commission here