BOLIVIAN SPORTS WOMAN FIGHTING FOR GENDER EQUALITY

Growing up in Chuquisaca, Bolivia, Maira Coll played all types of sports. She started with tennis and then switched to volleyball where she played indoor and beach formats for the national team. She continued her passion in sports after her playing career and served as Sports Manager – Head of Marketing Division with the Bolivia Olympic Committee and Ministry of Sports.

Now, she uses that experience to provide opportunities for Bolivian women and youth to participate in sports, she knows that more work is needed. In 2016, seven out of every 10 women in Bolivia experienced intimate partner violence, and this year, the country declared femicide a national priority. Global Citizen reports the 73 femicides Bolivia reached in July 2019 was the highest total since 2013 during that period.

Through her work, Maira hopes to improve women’s representation in leadership and executive positions nationwide, to challenge traditional gender roles and create positive role models for young women, and to create a national support system that facilitates women’s access to sports.

For GSMP: Empowering Women through Sports 2019, Maira will be mentored by Emi FitzGerald, Director of Earned Media at Saatchi & Saatchi, and her team in Dallas, Texas.