Anabel Orbe is a clinical psychologist with an academic background in gender and human rights. Her work with the displaced population in Ecuador led her to pursue a volunteer assignment with UNV. It was a perfect blend of her two passions—promoting gender equality and sports. In the lead up to International Women's Day, we shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of UN Volunteers around the globe, Anabel is one of them and she has a clear message—"To all women out there, don't give up!" Let's hear about her UN Volunteer assignment as a Technical Specialist for the Protocol on Cases of Violence in Sports.
Since I was a child, I always knew that sports would have an important place in my life. Over the years, I realized that my calling went beyond just playing sports. I had a clear goal of combining my passion for sports with my commitment of gender equality. The challenge I was up against: The lack of opportunities to work on gender and sports in Ecuador. I was up for the challenge and started looking for opportunities.
When I saw the vacancy to become a UN Volunteer with UN Women, I knew it was my opportunity and then I was selected for the assignment. Integrating into the public sector was a new experience and a challenge for me, which involved understanding different dynamics and establishing ways to coordinate and advance our goals.
One of my biggest challenges was to raise awareness about gender-based violence in sports. This issue affects many girls and women, who, in many cases, end up abandoning their dream of sports due to the abuse they suffer. Making this reality visible, along with the constant effort to break the androcentric paradigm and behavioural norms in sports, has been an arduous process.
The authorities of the Ministry of Sports have committed themselves upon seeing this reality, which has allowed me to develop ideas for action and propose processes to ensure the sustainability of each action item.
Among the most important moments of my service are the development and dissemination of different materials and courses, such as the Protocol for Addressing Gender-Based Violence Cases in Ecuador’s Sports System and the Case Management Guide for Gender-Based Violence in the Sports System, among others.
All of these tools have become fundamental elements in strengthening the response to gender-based violence. They provide minimum standards for handling gender-based violence cases properly, methodologies for working with persons with disabilities, and more.
I have also witnessed the direct impact of my service on the lives of women involved in sports; many have found the courage to speak up and break the silence. There is still much to be done, but knowing that I have contributed to creating a space where women can feel safe and supported fills me with pride.
This experience has been invaluable for my personal and professional growth. I have applied everything I learned in my academic training and have developed skills such as leadership, communication, and conflict resolution. Today, I am a stronger and a more confident woman.
It has not been an easy road. I’ve faced resistance from a sports structure led by people who do not see gender-based violence as a real problem. But little by little, we have managed to raise awareness within sports institutions and create mechanisms for prevention, identification, and response.
Looking back, I realize how much I have learned. Women have immense power to transform their surroundings, and my experience at UN Women has shown me how valuable that power is when combined with the determination to create change. Sports free of gender-based violence not only represent a victory for the women and girls who practice sports, but also open the doors to a world of opportunities and empowerment.
To all the women who want to get involved in promoting gender equality in sports, I say: don’t give up. The fight is ongoing, but the impact you can create is invaluable. Stay firm, stay committed, and always remember that we are paving the way for future generations.
Anabel Orbe leads a workshop on the prevention of sexual abuse in sports aimed at caregivers of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
