Gender Equity Commission, Bhutan

A Safe Sport orientation session was successfully conducted on 9th December for 70 School Sports Instructors.During the session, Ms. Jamyang Choden delivered a presentation on Gender Equity, highlighting the importance of fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunities in sports. Ms. Tshering Wangmo presented on Safe Sport, covering key areas such as safeguarding, prevention of harassment and abuse, reporting and complaint management, and travel guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful sporting environment for all athletes.
The session contributed to strengthening awareness and responsibility among School Sports Instructors in protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of athletes.

We are proud of you Kinley 🎉👍

🌟 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐦 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩!🌟

We’re thrilled to announce that Ms. Kinley Dem, Para Shooter, represented Bhutan at the Changwon 2024 WSPS World Cup! With sheer determination and skill, she scored an impressive 618.8 points, securing her spot in the final rounds. But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Kinley soared to 4th place among the top 8 competitors, earning 206.5 points!

This remarkable achievement showcases her incredible progress since her last competition in New Delhi. We couldn’t be prouder of Kinley’s accomplishments and wish her continued success on her journey to Paris2024 Paralympic Games 💫

ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴡᴏɴᴅᴏ ᴄᴏᴀᴄʜ ᴍꜱ. ᴘᴇᴍᴀ ᴄʜᴏᴋɪ
ᴇᴍᴘᴏᴡᴇʀɪɴɢ ʟɪᴠᴇꜱ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛᴀᴇᴋᴡᴏɴᴅᴏ

Ms. Pema Choki was inspired by her Coach Tshering Choki to joining Taekwondo in 1998. She took up the sport as her mentor inspired her, and because it was a good opportunity to build her strong bonds with athletes from different backgrounds.Her role model is Grandmaster Yonten Tharchen.

She currently teaches grassroots; her belief is that simplicity in coaching is the best method. As her students are mostly young athletes and children, she trains them hoping that they maximize their potential as they grow up.

​ “Discipline is a must. Not just in Taekwondo but as a part of our life”. Ms. Pema Choki believes that the foundation of Taekwondo is discipline and proper harnessing of the mind. The lessons in Taekwondo should not just be in the field of sports, but also in every aspect of day-to-day life.
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​Ms. Pema Choki’s dedication to Taekwondo goes beyond the boundaries of age and gender. In addition to her training for young athletes and children, she has nurtured and empowered a number of female Taekwondo athletes. “One of the most significant gifts Taekwondo offers young girls and women is a boost in self-esteem and confidence,” she says.

​“I would like to encourage everyone to participate; I would love to take time to train parents and adults so they can take up Taekwondo”. Ms. Pema Choki’s inclusive approach to Taekwondo sends a powerful message about the importance of inclusivity in sports, and she remains committed to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive in Taekwondo for a healthier life. The sport can be a platform for athletes to embrace their potential, face challenges, and emerge as strong, confident individuals.

𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗟𝗵𝗮𝗺, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗵𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞.

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
𝗜𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁”, 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗮 𝗟𝗵𝗮𝗺.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.

She wasn't just teaching cricket
She was building a foundation for their lives.

Meet Deki Yangzom, She is 47, and cricket is close to her heart. It all began 18 years ago when Deki took her first step into the world of coaching. The decision to become a coach was fueled by a sincere desire to shape the future of the young cricketers who crossed her path. However, her narrative goes beyond the boundaries of cricket; it's a story of nurturing dreams.
Being a teacher, she always cared deeply about her students' futures.

Her coaching created a space for young talents to grow and learn important life skills. She said, "This wasn't just about cricket skills; it was about building a foundation for their entire lives."

What kept her going? “Love, passion, and a deep-seated interest in the development of the youth,” she said. The love for cricket itself was like a driving force, pushing her to share her skills and expertise. The joy of watching her cricketers succeed was an unparalleled reward, complemented by the sense of fulfillment she gained from engaging in meaningful activities.

At present, she proudly holds the role of Thimphu District Coordinator. Her days are busy teaching skills to eager students, setting up exciting cricket tournaments in schools, and working with the Bhutan Cricket Board to find potential players for the National Team. Her immediate plan is to inspire other coaches to become grassroots educators, teaching important skills and organizing competitions.

About Deki's journey, she's been lucky to be part of big events like the South Asia Games, assuming roles as a scorer and team manager. She even strode onto the field as an umpire in the Women's T20 Tournament. Her story as a cricket coach continues to unfold, driven by a passion for cricket, a love for mentoring, and an unyielding dedication to the success of the youth.

“To those listening, let me share this final thought: Refrain from molding yourself to fit into predefined molds, stand tall in your uniqueness. With courage and determination, you'll uncover the treasure trove of talents and skills that reside within you.”

𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚

“Then, one fateful day, everything changed. The head coach of the Bhutan Archery National team approached me with an incredible offer - to join her as an assistant coach.”

At the tender age of 18, during the winter engagement program for armed forces children, Yeshi Dema's life took an extraordinary turn. Being part of the program due to her father's profession as a policeman, Yeshi was introduced to archery. Little did she know that this introduction would be the start of an inspiring journey. Initially, Yeshi pursued her dream of becoming a top-tier archer but she realized that her path was destined for something else. Although her dreams of becoming an elite athlete did not materialize, she didn't let disappointment define her. Instead, Yeshi embraced coaching as her true calling. With unwavering passion and dedication, she transitioned to a grassroots coaching role in the eastern region of Bhutan, nurturing young talents and fostering their passion for the sport.

One fateful day, Yeshi's dedication caught the attention of the head coach of the Bhutan Archery National team, Park Young Sook. She offered Yeshi the incredible opportunity to join her as an assistant coach, a chance Yeshi seized with humility and excitement. This milestone became a turning point in her coaching career, exposing her to elite athletes and giving her a platform to contribute to the sport at the highest level.

Presently, Yeshi is a full-time coach for the Bhutan National Team. With the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, on the horizon, Yeshi's short-term goal is to prepare her team diligently and refine the team's techniques and mental resilience for a strong performance in the upcoming tournament. Looking ahead, Yeshi envisions a long-term plan to foster archery's growth and development within the region. She envisions implementing various strategies, including grassroots development, talent identification, coach education, international exposure, and collaboration, to establish Bhutan as a respected and competitive force in the archery world.

Yeshi's motivation to continue coaching stems from her passion for the sport, the positive impact she brings to athletes, and the sense of fulfillment it brings her. As a female coach, she aspires to break barriers, promote gender equality in sports, and inspire the next generation of female athletes and coaches. While Yeshi may not be wielding a quiver and arrows herself, she's hitting metaphorical bull’s eyes in life. Her dedication, resilience, and passion for coaching are making a lasting impact on the archery world. “I remain committed to my coaching journey, eager to continue shaping the future of archery, one arrow at a time."


Archery Federation Dema

GEC was represented by our Chair Sonam Yangchen at the BOC Executive Committee Meeting today.

The Gender Equity Committee conducted a training on safe sport, for the Safeguarding officers of the National Sport Federations today. A total of 16 safeguarding officers participated in the training facilitated by Ms. Tshering Wangmo and Mr. Umang Rai. Our facilitators are currently undergoing the IOC Safeguarding Certification Course and are set to become the first IOC certified safeguarding officers in Bhutan.

The committee also launched safe sport advocacy posters, which were distributed to sport federations and associations, in attendance. The initiative was supported by the Bhutan Olympic Committee.

Follow the link for the BOC Safe Sport Policy
https://bhutanolympiccommittee.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Safe-sport-policy-final.pdf

Bhutan Badminton Federation
Olympic Council of Asia
Bhutan Amateur Athletic Federation
Bhutan Karate Association
Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association
Bhutan Cricket
Bhutan Tennis Federation
Bhutan Table Tennis Federation
Bhutan Boxing Federation
Bhutan Weightlifting Federation
Bhutan Taekwondo Federation
Bhutan Golf Federation
Bhutan Chess Federation

Safe Sport Awareness Program conducted by our Safeguarding Officers for the Badminton Athletes today at the National Badminton Center.

Thank you Bhutan Badminton Federation for the opportunity.