The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) project was established to help contribute towards the Movement’s goal of having 30 per cent of women in leadership positions.

Delivered by the IPC’s development arm, the Agitos Foundation, it has involved 16 pairs of mentors and mentees in an 18-month long programme of education and development.

Testimonials from mentors and mentees on how WoMentoring has helped them to develop in their career will feature within the Bonn event, with various members having consequently gained promotions and various positions of influence within National Paralympic Committees and other Para-sport organisations.

One example is Eimear Breathnach, a former Para-table tennis player from Ireland who was mentored by Christine Nash, co-deputy head of the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

She was recently appointed as a vice-president of Paralympics Ireland.

“I had hoped that at the culmination of my plan to be in a position to be counted in para-sport and to encourage other women to take control of their destiny in sport,” Breathnach said.

"Hopefully my progress in Para-sport will encourage other women to achieve their goals and succeed in sport.”

Other mentees have joined NPC Athlete Commissions and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games delegations as well as being at the forefront of developing national sport programmes.

An evaluation of the overall influence of WoMentoring and its long-term impacts will also take place, before a later follow-up is carried out.

Mentors and mentees will also be encouraged to continue their relationships and apply their mentoring experience to increase its use within the Paralympic Movement.

“Whilst we still have a way to go before we achieve parity of gender representation within the Paralympic Movement, and of course sports administration more generally," said IPC Women in Sport Committee chairperson, Tine Rindum Teilmann. 

"WoMentoring has given participants the tools they need to grow into strong leaders.

“There are some fantastic stories of women who have gained confidence and skills because of the guidance from their mentors, encouraging them to achieve great things.

“At the heart of the Paralympic Movement’s mission is to promote and grow the abilities of underrepresented groups in society, and the IPC does not forget it's responsibilities towards women who all too often fit that criteria within sport.”