MIES - International Women's Day (March 8) is the global day celebrating the social, economic, ethnic, cultural and political achievements of every woman. This special day not only praises their accomplishments but also calls to action for accelerating gender balance.

FIBA's Foundation, the International Basketball Foundation (IBF), supports International Women’s Day and stands for women empowerment and gender equality. The IBF is proud to have the inclusion of women and girls at the core of all its humanitarian projects. Its mission is to use the power of basketball as a catalyst to initiate positive change and help build stronger communities, which can only be done through gender equality.

In 2018, the IBF organized in Bali the first edition of a mixed 3x3 Youth Leadership Tournament, the Youth Leaders Cup. It was a great experience with young women and men from 14 different countries playing on the same teams and competition level. The participants enjoyed it and shared their positive experiences.

"The 3x3 mixed game is such a unique initiative that shows that girls can do anything boys can do too," said Danica Cabrera, participant from Guam. "Guarding a boy, beating him and making him not able to move you is the best feeling in the world because you think, ‘I can be stronger than a boy.'"

"The 3x3 mixed game is exciting and gave the opportunity to the participants to all get together. Both boys and girls showed their skills and proved that gender is not an issue," said Amanda Louise Alejandrino, youth leader from the Philippines.

Youth Leader Amanda Louise Alejandrino, during a beach clean-up activity

The IBF supports the #BalanceforBetter campaign and also believes that a better world can only be attained through gender parity. Achieving gender balance in sport is a gateway to global equality.

FIBA