The Commonwealth Games movement has been at the forefront of women’s sport for close to 90 years following the first participation of Claire Dennis (swimming) and Lesley Thompson (diving) at the 1934 Empire Games in London.

We celebrate International Women’s Day by recognising all the women, from grassroots sport to those who have forged the pathways on the international stage – all of whom have made an impact in sport and the broader community.

The International Women’s Day 2020 campaign theme is #EachforEqual

The Gold Coast Games saw an equal number of medal events for women and men for the first time in the history of a multi-sport Games.

Birmingham 2022 is set to break the record for the largest ever female and para-sport programme in history which will see two more women’s medal events than men’s at the Games, with 135 compared to 133. This will be the first time in history that a major multi-sport event will feature more women’s than men’s medal events.

A tremendous achievement not only for women’s sport but for world sport and one for which the Commonwealth Games movement should be proud.

And of course, our Australian team will be led by Petria Thomas, as she becomes our first female Chef de Mission.