An open letter from ICF President Thomas Konecko recognizing the important role that women have played in the development of our sport and the work that remains to be done to achieve true equality. Half of the world's population is made up of women. Unfortunately, this is not reflected in equal access to all spheres of life in many countries of the world. Even on International Women's Day 2023, women will have to fight for equal rights. Fortunately, not in our Federation. Kayaking and canoeing cannot change the world, but it can make the world a better place in terms of gender equality and access to it. Almost half of our millions of rowers around the world are women. Our Olympic program is gender-balanced, both by type and by number of participants. All our disciplines offer access for both sexes. Currently, it is considered normal that every ICF decision is considered in terms of gender impact, and we do not allow any decisions that do not take into account gender equality or put women at a disadvantage. More and more women are being elected to important positions in ICF bodies. Thanks to the large number of dedicated women and a few dedicated men, the general mindset in our Federation has completely changed over the past decades. Gender equality has become a common goal for all our stakeholders. Despite all this, we are still far from gender equality in ICF, but we are getting better. And since this topic is an important and common aspiration, I am sure that we will still get better in the future. It has already become the new norm not to discuss gender equality anymore, but simply to expect it with each of our decisions. Please, let's consider this goal together in our clubs, national federations and all ICF organizations as one of the most important goals for the successful future of canoeing. Our sport and our federation would be much poorer without the spirit and ideas of our women. We are blessed with many role models, including female athletes and female officials who have done a lot for our sport. Many of these women made great sacrifices, but their passion inspired people to go canoeing. Today I want to say thank you to all our women in canoeing, no matter where in the world they practice our sport, or no matter how they help develop our sport. Canoeing would not be so strong and in such a strong position without your tireless efforts.