IMMAF Women’s Commission launches on International Women’s Day

We celebrate International Women’s day today but it is also a historical day for IMMAF, which has launched its own Women’s Commission.

Hayzia Bellem, chair of the new Commission, will host the first session of the commission today. The goals of the IMMAF’s Women’s Commission are:

– Encouraging women to practice MMA
– Fighting against gender prejudice in MMA
– Promoting gender equality in MMA and sport generally
– Fighting against harassment in combat sports
– Supporting women to develop their skills within MMA organisations  (coaches, referees and other officials, administrators, etc.)
– Supporting women to gain leadership positions at IMMAF and its federations
– Empowering women and girls through MMA
– Showing the financial benefits of promoting women in MMA
– Recognizing the achievements of individuals and organizations promoting women in MMA (amateur and professional)

The Commission members are:

Hayzia Bellem (FRA) : chairperson
Sharif Bapu (IND): member
Veronika Nabaltska (BUL): member
Gosha Malik is the IMMAF staff liaison

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commented:

“I’m proud of the representation and achievements of women in the IMMAF family, as we continue to work to encourage greater female participation at all levels of the sport. The IMMAF Women’s Commission has been founded to further women’s development within MMA. On behalf of IMMAF, I’d like to wish the women of MMA around the world a happy International Women’s Day.”

For more information on the Women’s Commission please contact: [email protected]

Main picture: World Junior Gold Medallists Anna Gaul (GER) and Nora Ochoa (MEX) at end of their 2019 World Championship Final bout