The Sony Ericson WTA Tour , the governing body for women's professional tennis, recently partnered with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Oganization (UNESCO) to raise awareness and funds for a global and national "Promoter of Gender Equality" players program. The initiative will also include mentoring, scholarship and fellowship projects to increase opportunities and garner an environment of success for women and girls in all aspects of life. Venus Williams, who will serve as the first global "Promoter of Gender Equality", articluated the importance of athletes in the world's leading sport for women to "do everything we can to help break down barriers to success for women." UNESCO's Director General, Koïchiro Matsuura also conveyed that the partnership will enhance women's empowerment and involvement in societal development. Billy Jean King, founder of the tour, stated that the partnership "makes sense," since the tour itself was founded on the principle of equality.
To find out more about the program read UNESCO's press release.
Compiled from information from the UN Daily News provided by the United Nations News Centre.