Co-led by the Ford Foundation, Wellspring Philanthropic Foundation and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), with the Equality Institute acting as secretariat, ALL IN brings together an influential group of global leaders committed to matching the scale of the global GBV crisis with equally ambitious action.

Crucially, the initiative is actively seeking commitment beyond government and philanthropy — including from sport, recognising its unique ability to shape social norms, mobilise communities and influence public behaviour.

A Global Crisis Demanding System-Wide Action

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights crises of our time. More than one billion women and girls experience violence during their lifetimes, while an estimated 140 women and girls are killed every day as a result of domestic violence. The economic cost is equally staggering, with GBV estimated to drain US$1.5 trillion from the global economy each year.

These impacts are further intensified by conflict, climate change and humanitarian crises — yet global prevention efforts continue to fall far short of what is required.

The newly released ALL IN report, which underpins the panel’s agenda, argues that solutions already exist but remain “underused, underfunded and insufficiently integrated” into national development and policy frameworks. It sets out three pillars for action:

• BROAD — embedding prevention across systems and institutions
• DEEP — transforming harmful gender norms across communities
• RESOURCED — mobilising long-term, sustainable financing

Together, they form a roadmap for preventing violence at scale within a generation .

Why Sport Matters

The inclusion of sport within the ALL IN framework reflects a growing recognition of its social power. Among the panel’s members is Ross Taylor, former captain of the New Zealand international cricket team and a long-standing advocate for engaging men and boys in prevention efforts.

“Sport has the power to unite, inspire and lead change,” Taylor said. “I’m committed to using my platform to create awareness and help end gender-based violence everywhere.”

From elite athletes and global leagues to grassroots clubs, sport occupies a unique position within communities — making it a critical vehicle for the DEEP pillar of the ALL IN agenda. By challenging harmful norms, promoting gender equality and modelling respectful behaviour, sport can play a central role in shifting attitudes that enable violence.

From Awareness to Political and Financial Commitment

ALL IN’s ambition is clear: to convert global awareness into tangible political and financial commitments. Over the next two years, panel members — including Graça Machel, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Tarana Burke, Dr Denis Mukwege and Baroness Harriet Harman — will use their influence to champion evidence-based prevention, amplify survivor voices and secure cross-sector commitments, including from sport, media and technology.

Dr Emma Fulu, Founder and CEO of the Equality Institute and head of the ALL IN Secretariat, described the moment as a turning point.

“After twenty-five years working to end gender-based violence, I have never seen a moment like this,” she said. “With strong evidence in hand and incredible leaders stepping up, this panel is our opportunity to finally match the scale of the problem with the scale of action required. It’s time to go all in.”

Graça Machel echoed that call for urgency and unity, stressing that incremental change is no longer sufficient. “We must apply a comprehensive, vigorous and unrelenting focus to eradicating gender-based violence,” she said. “This is about redesigning our societies into safe, equitable and vibrant places for all.”

A Clear Role for Sustainable Sport

For the world of sustainable sport, the message is unequivocal. Ending gender-based violence is not a peripheral issue — it sits at the intersection of human rights, equality, community wellbeing and long-term social sustainability.

As ALL IN moves from launch to action, sport now has a clear invitation: to go beyond symbolic support and play an active role in prevention, advocacy and cultural change. In doing so, it can help ensure that safety, dignity and equality are not just values promoted on the field of play, but realities experienced by women and girls everywhere.