As a further major measure to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has added portrayal guidelines - inspired by the IOC portrayal guidelines and shared them with the global hockey community.

These guidelines shall act as a reference and guide for action for all hockey stakeholders in their coverage of the sport. They are essential because sports coverage plays an important role in shaping gender norms and stereotypes, and promoting new positive, diverse role models.

Commenting on the guidelines, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “First, I would like to express our gratitude to the IOC for having paved the way in this really essential matter. Then, my thanks also go to all those involved in making these guidelines a reality for hockey as well – in particular, the FIH Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and its Chair, Marijke Fleuren. These guidelines confirm how much inclusivity is a crucial principle for hockey. No matter the gender, the age, the physical or intellectual ability, the religion, the sexual orientation, the ethnic or social background, everyone is welcome in our sport!”.

Portrayal is defined as the language (words and expressions), images and voices used, the quality and quantity of coverage and the prominence given, when depicting individuals or groups in all communications channels and platforms.

The FIH portrayal guidelines are based on the following main principles:

  • Favouring gender equal, diverse and inclusive representation of the hockey community;
  • Avoiding bias or negative stereotypes on gender and diversity;
  • Generating new strong, positive, and diverse role models.

They provide clear advice when it comes to language, images and voices in particular. They also include a fair, inclusive and non-discriminatory portrayal of transgender sportspeople and athletes with sex variations, with FIH advocating for gender equality at all levels of hockey participation across the globe, including opportunities for transgender athletes to compete in the sport.

Whilst hockey is equal in many aspects globally - equal participation of men and women players around the world, mixed-gender umpiring, identical competitions formats and schedules, identical prize money, broadcasting rights agreements stipulating equal coverage – the FIH portrayal guidelines enable hockey to go one step further and be even more inclusive than ever before.

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