Aruba recently hosted the ‘Women in Para Sports Americas’ summit, organized by the Aruba Paralympic Committee (APC) in collaboration with the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC). The three-day event brought together over 50 female leaders from 29 countries across the Pan-American region to discuss inclusion, leadership, and development in para sports.
The summit focused on strengthening networks, fostering collaboration, and turning ideas into actionable strategies. Minister of Sports Gerlien Croes actively participated in the panel “Leading Global Change: Advancing Women in Sports Across Systems,” alongside international leaders such as Barbara Ortiz (United Nations), Alia Atkinson (world champion and Olympic athlete), Shardea Croes (AmPC Women’s Committee), and Nicole Hoevertsz (International Olympic Committee).
The summit featured interactive exhibitions for people with disabilities, practical workshops, and community participation for the first time, allowing direct experience exchange between para-athletes, professionals, and the public. Aruba’s hosting of the summit positions the island as a model for future editions, showcasing its commitment to inclusion, equal opportunity, and the development of para sports.
Minister Gerlien Croes expressed gratitude to the APC, AmPC, partners, and organizers for their dedication, leadership, and continuous effort. The event not only strengthened the presence of para sports in the region but also laid the foundation for empowering more women to lead, inspire, and drive change in sports locally and internationally.
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