Lead up to the Commonwealth Games we spoke with Donna Fraser OBE, four-time Olympic Champion and Head of Inclusion & Engagement at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

What does your role consist of as Head of Inclusion at the Commonwealth Games 2022?

My primary role is to deliver our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion priorities which involve supporting and guiding our teams to embed inclusive and diverse behaviours to ensure that our Games are delivered in an inclusive and accessible way.

My role also involves working with our Community Engagement team to build relationships with community leaders and key regional stakeholders.

What actions have been taken to mitigate the risks of people being trafficked in and through sport ahead of the Commonwealth Games?

Our vision is to be a ‘Games for everyone’ where athletes, spectators, officials, and anyone attending the Games are safe.

We are the first Games to have a Head of Inclusion and Engagement and a Safeguarding Lead, which highlights our commitment to addressing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We have developed an internal Human Rights Strategy, an important aspect of delivering the Games.

In the delivery of our Games, we always have the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights front of mind, and we respect, protect, and promote those rights and freedoms guaranteed to all individuals under law.

We are working with UNICEF on a campaign to raise awareness of exploitation and human trafficking, which we hope to give more details about next year.

What do you think the role of mega sporting events organisers' is so important to help combat sport trafficking? 

This is an important issue to address globally, and unfortunately, a major sporting event gives an opportunity for trafficking. Therefore, it is the responsibility of organisers of these events to be vocal and proactive to raise awareness so that people are educated and in turn more vigilant.