As part of Gender Equality Month, the International Canoe Federation is profiling five influential female leaders from each continent that are blazing a trail for women in the sport. First up is ICF Vice President Cecilia Farias.
Sitting at the top table of the International Canoe Federation’s Board of Directors’ meeting in Hangzhou, Cecilia Farias is championing gender equity, diversity and inclusion.
It is a position Dr Farias has been proudly occupying since she was first elected Vice President of the ICF in 2016.
Her election nine years ago was a landmark moment for the ICF as no woman had previously secured such a position in the history of the global governing body.
It is a role that the Argentine official never takes for granted as she continually seeks to use her voice and influence to help create a clearer path for women to reach the very top of the sport.
“I wanted to be in a position where my voice will be heard and I have only reached that now after so many decades,” said Dr Farias who first joined the ICF Board of Directors in 2006.
“It doesn’t mean that people do exactly what I say.
“I have learned that it is not only about being in a decision-making position that is important but being in influential positions.
“Sometimes you don’t determine the final result, but you have influence on it.”
Dr Farias has enjoyed an extensive career in sports administration thanks to her infectious passion and determination.
She became the first female on the Executive Board of the Association of Pan American Sports Confederations in 2015 when she was elected as Vice President and is now First Vice President.
Her career has also seen her hold the position of President of the Pan American Canoe Federation from 2011 to 2019 after serving as its Secretary General since 1999 and carry out the position of Secretary General of the Argentinian Canoe Federation from 1996 to 2003.
It has not come without its struggles over that time as she often found herself in rooms full of men in suits but Dr Farias has remained steadfast in her pursuit for female representation at the top table.
“Over the years, I have developed the skills to navigate the waters of politics which can sometimes feel like you are a slalom athlete, paddling against the current,” said Dr Farias.
“You must earn your position and unfortunately women still have to prove themselves twice. It’s like an examination every day.
“You can see pictures of high-profile officers where it appears 11 men and no women.
“But the denial of opportunities has made me more determined to reach the places that I wanted to get to.
“I don’t want to be at war with anyone.
“I just want to have the voice for those that don’t as there are so many women who don’t get this chance.
“I am privileged because I am an educated woman, and I am able to say what I think which is a characteristic of women of my age – I either say it now or never.”
Growing up in a country which was under a military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983, when she studied Dr Farias faced many barriers when trying to carve out a career in the sport.
As an athlete, Dr Farias came into the sport at a time when canoeing was male dominated in Argentina, but she smashed through this barrier to become a two-time national champion.
As a technical official, Dr Farias also faced strong resistance in her quest for certifications, but she refused to give in and is now a vastly experienced ITO across multiple discipline and has been selected for six Olympic Games – two of them as Chair of the jury.
“Whenever I was told ‘no’, it made me push harder for a better future and make a career in the sport and bring me here,” said Dr Farias.
“I was told ‘no’ when I wanted to attend my ITO examination and now I’m one of only a few who has three ITO certifications and I’m running for a fourth one in Canoe Ocean Racing.”
As well as being Vice President of the ICF, Dr Farias leads the organisation’s Diversity and Inclusion Commission and is responsible for its Sustainable Development Programme.
Dr Farias has overseen great improvements in gender equality with the sport achieving parity in the number of female and male paddlers and officials for the first time at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
There has also been an increase in the number of female voters at the ICF Congress and a rise in the amount of ICF Committees and Commissions led by women.
But Dr Farias knows there is work to do to ensure National Federations and Continental Associations create opportunities for women to shine as athletes, coaches, judges and leaders in the sport.
“I never resign my beliefs and principles,” said Dr Farias.
“This is my 51st year in canoeing since I first started paddling as a 14-year-old girl in my local club.
“This is my life and career.
“The situation where women are in now is the result of the last 30 years of hard work after receiving those ‘nos’.
“Now, we have knocked down several barriers and the pathway is freer for women to run for decision-making positions.
“But they still don’t run for elections because the system does not provide financial support for participations at forums, meetings, and the competitions of our sport.
“Women also need visibility and the possibility to interact with their male counterpart during our major events.
“Sport is not just about competing for gold, silver and bronze. It is about making good persons and building up good characters.
“You have to keep pushing.
“We are one of the top International Federations when it comes to gender equality, and we are planning to hold women’s symposiums in each continent as we strive to improve opportunities for females in our sport.”
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