Nearly 200 people attended the Gender Equality Forum in Cape Verde ©ANOCA

Nearly 200 people have taken part in the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa's (ANOCA) second Gender Equality Forum in Cape Verde.

The two-day event took place on Sal Island which hosted the African Beach Games in 2019.

A video message was played by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, with IOC Executive Board member Prince Faisal bin Hussein of Jordan among those to attend.

Prince Faisal is also the chairman of the Gender Equity Commission at the Association of National Olympic Committees.

Cape Verdean Olympic Committee President Filomena Fortes gave an address, while the ANOCA Gender Equality Plan was presented by Lesotho's Mathlohang Moila-Ramoqopo, ANOCA's second vice-president and an IOC member.

Natsiraishe Maritsa was presented with the IOC Women and Sport prize ©ANOCA
Natsiraishe Maritsa was presented with the IOC Women and Sport prize ©ANOCA

Zimbabwe's Natsiraishe Maritsa was presented with the IOC Women and Sport prize for her work empowering girls through taekwondo and her foundation.

"I wish to thank in particular the ANOCA Gender Equality Commission and all the gender equality or women in sport commissions, which are doing a remarkable job to promote gender equality in sport on our continent," said ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf.

Cape Verde President José Maria Neves sent a message saying he was "deeply honoured" that the island nation was hosting the Forum.