Sarwat Siraj Shukla. Photo: BSS

 DHAKA, July 8, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Women Sports Association (BWSA) 
President Barrister Sarwat Siraj Shukla will represent Bangladesh in world's 
largest international conference on gender equality and women's empowerment 
in sports-- 'IWG Global Summit on Women and Sport 2026'-- in the United 
Kingdom (UK).

This prestigious three-day global conference begins tomorrow (Thursday) at 
the international convention center in Birmingham, UK.

More than 1,200 international delegates, including sports organisers, 
policymakers and athletes are participating in this world's largest sports 
conference.

Barrister Sarwat, also the vice president of Bangladesh Olympic Association 
and newly-appointed chairman of gender equity committee, is the director of 
the country's only government sports education institution 'Bangladesh Krira 
Shikkha Protishtan'.

Recently, a high-level government committee has been formed by the Ministry 
of Youth and Sports to ensure overall protection, equality and rights of 
women in sports. 

Barrister Sarwat has been appointed as one of the important members of this 
committee. 

Experts consider her visit to be very significant in the context of the 
ongoing 'Notun Kuri Sports' initiative of the government nationwide to 
encourage children and adolescents in the country to participate in sports 
and the formation of a joint 'Sports Diplomacy' wing of the Ministry of Youth 
and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 
According to sports observers, her participation in this summit will serve as 
a milestone in the field of sports diplomacy of Bangladesh.

Ahead of her trip to the UK, Barrister Sarwat said: "The participation and 
success of women in sports in Bangladesh is now being appreciated worldwide. 
In addition to highlighting our achievements on this global platform of IWG, 
we want to apply modern strategies for women's leadership and legal 
protection in the world of sports in the context of Bangladesh."

During the three-day conference, she will participate in networking and 
special discussion sessions with international sports policymakers and 
representatives of Olympic committees from different countries.