The Transformation 2022 Commonwealth Games Gender Equality Taskforce, which has been given a mandate to “leave no stone unturned” in pursuit of equality, will work with sporting stakeholders, including future Games and Youth Games host cities, International Federations and member Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs).

The body, which will be led by CGF vice-presidents Kereyn Smith of New Zealand and Canada's Bruce Robertson, will “comprehensively audit and explore opportunities for gender equality across all of the Commonwealth Sport Movement's activities and impacts”, according to the CGF.

This includes an attempt to increase the number of female coaches in sport across the Commonwealth’s 71 nations and territories as well as gender equality in the CGF’s governance structure.

One of their main remits will be to oversee plans to achieve athlete equality in organisation and participation at both the Commonwealth Games, the CGF’s flagship quadrennial multi-sport event, and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

The announcement was made today ahead of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s inaugural Commonwealth Women Leaders’ Summit.

“I am passionately committed to ensuring that we live our values of humanity, equality, destiny in everything we do,” Martin said.

“I’ve asked our Transformation 2022 Gender Equality Taskforce to leave no stone unturned as they explore how Commonwealth sport and everyone in our diverse sporting family can better deliver for women and girls.

 “I believe our dynamic sporting movement has an important part to play in an energised, engaged and empowered Commonwealth of Nations and Territories, and especially so in this Year of 'An Inclusive Commonwealth.'

“We are delighted to be participating in today’s Commonwealth Women Leaders’ Summit and look forward to playing a lead role in realising ambitions and opportunities through sport for all Commonwealth citizens.”

The CGF claim they have already established a number of gender equality measures, including having both women and men represented in vice-presidential elections.

They have also brought in athlete quotas for Durban 2022, where equal numbers of men and women will compete, and have set a target for gender equality in technical officials officiating at Gold Coast 2018.

The CGF also welcomed a decision from the International Cricket Council to include women’s cricket on the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time at Durban 2022.