#WeStandWithLama
Updated: Nov 13, 2020
The mission of equitysport is to advance equality, diversity and equal opportunity in global sport. equitysport is proud to announce its support in standing alongside Lama Elshawarby and her teammates in calling for the Egyptian Handball Federation to establish a national women’s handball team; and to start regulating playing contracts within the Egyptian domestic game to protect the rights of female athletes within the sport.
Handball is the only team sport in Egypt with a mens team but no women’s national first team. Last week Lama Elshawarby, supported by her handball teammates and Mona Amin of the EHF took their two demands to the Board of Directors at the Egyptian Handball Federation.
They were rejected out of hand and without engagement.
We refuse to stand silently as the constructs of an old world stand in the way of dreams. We stand with Lama in continuing to campaign for the Egyptian Handball Federation to establish a national women’s handball first team and take action to regulate and register contracts for female handball players in the country.
We call upon all those all around the world who believe in equality to stand with us, to fight this injustice and to bring their own voice in supporting this passionate and determined group of athletes.
The support of equitysport will stay the course and we're grateful for Lama's engagement with us. We will campaign alongside and with Lama, her teammates and their supporters and we will do what is required to draw attention, to engage relevant figures and organisations in the sporting world until an acceptable resolution is found.
We implore the Egyptian Handball Federation to come to the table ready to listen to the concerns of this group of players; who’s only desire is to represent their country in a sport they love, on an equal footing to their male counterparts. We urge constructive engagement from the International Handball Federation and we encourage supporters of gender equality from every corner of the planet to actively get behind Lama and her campaign.
equitysport will be sharing a number of ACTIONS you can take over the coming weeks to help the campaign, but for the time being, please share it across your social media channels using the hashtag #ehnaelabtal #standwithlama #westandwithlama.
Inequality anywhere, is inequality everywhere.
Find out more about the struggle Lama faces via this article from The National HERE.
CAMPAIGN ACTIONS
Share the hashtag #WeStandWithLama on social media.
Share our open letter to the International Handball Federation HERE.
Share our statement re: hummel's support for Egyptian Handball HERE.
Tweet or post your message of support on social media (remember to tag us).
All graphics on any page relating to the campaign can be copied and used on social media in support of the campaign without permission (please tag us!). Please make no alterations to the artwork.