Caroline Dinenage MP has shown her support for the innovative 'This Girl Can' campaign, which aims to encourage more women and girls to get involved with sport. Caroline was treated to an exclusive preview of the campaign's new television advert, which airs for the first time today, and met with some of the inspiring women who have used 'This Girl Can' to help support women in their local areas to get active.
Developed by Sport England, 'This Girl Can' is a lottery funded project that celebrates active women who are doing their thing no matter how well they do it, or how they look. Research continues to demonstrate a huge disparity in the number of men and women that participate in sport and exercise. This is not because women and girls dislike exercise, but because fear of judgement discourages them from taking part. Given the considerable benefits associated with an active lifestyle, 'This Girl Can' aims to empower women to enjoy sport regardless of their skill level, fitness level, ethnicity, size or body shape.
Commenting, Caroline said:
'It's so important that societal pressure to look or behave a certain way doesn't stop women from enjoying the huge array of benefits associated with exercise and sport. I'm a keen netball player and an enthusiastic advocate of women's sport generally. Why should we let the men have all the fun?
Since This Girl Can was first launched a few years ago 2.8million women have started exercising or exercising more. I can't wait for everyone to see the new advert, and hope it encourages women to take that first step towards a more active lifestyle.'
The new advert has been available on Facebook and twitter since noon today. It will be aired on television during Coronation Street this evening, between 7.30 and 8pm on ITV
