EHF Congress agrees positive action
EHF Congress agrees positive action
The second day of the EHF Congress in Monaco dealt with the motions from member nations and the EHF itself.
The 50 participating National Federations present at the EHF Congress in Monaco voted with more than a two third majority for a change of EHF statutes concerning women in EHF bodies in their first decision of the second day of the Congress.
This motion stated by the EHF, includes not only gender equality in the EHF statutes but secures that both genders are represented in all EHF bodies (Executive and EHF Technical Commissions). Norway had stated a similar motion before, but withdrew in advance of the EHF motion.
In his explanation EHF EXEC member Arne Elovsson (SWE) stated that the number of women elected in EHF bodies had increased in the previous election periods, but still the number is too low – nine female officials were elected to position at the EHF Congress, including the new Women’s Handball Board, and the first woman, Helga Magnusdottir, was elected to the EHF Executive, but this still represents less that 20% of the people elected to positions.
The motion agreed includes not only a gender neutral rephrasing of the EHF statutes, but also a financial bonus for National Federations registering women for the EHF Congress.
Concerning the voting procedure for upcoming elections a female candidate will be given preference in case of a tie.
In the future, all EHF bodies need to include both genders, in case not, an additional election, and an additional position on the particular body with be created, to ensure that both genders are represented.
The EHF Congress voted in favour of this motion with 70 percent of the votes, which meant that the two third majority was reached.
New EHF President, Jean Brihault, whose stated aim for the next four year period is the development and promotion of the women’s game, stated his pleasure at the decision by the EHF Congress.
He said: “To change the statutes for the promotion of women in handball is a major progress in the development of our federation.”
