Competition is to be officiated by 15 female and six male referees, making it the first time in wrestling history that over 70 per cent of referees are women at a major Games.

The Commonwealth Games Federation and UWW agreed to the higher percentage of women for the Games, scheduled to take place from July 28 to August 8.

As of now, there are 10 female referees in the highest category of officiating in wrestling and 91 worldwide.

It comes after the International Olympic Committee's announcement in July 2021 to achieve gender parity for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. 

"We are committed to advancing wrestling in the right direction and promoting topics such as diversity, achieving gender parity, equal opportunities and access to education in all areas of our sport," said UWW President Nenad Lalovic.

"We are thrilled and excited to witness that the next Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will become the first major wrestling event that will have more than 70 per cent women officials."

In May, UWW is to hold a second educational programme for female referees and officials with an aim to reduce the gender gap.

The UWW Refereeing Commission, in collaboration with the Sports and Development departments, are to organise courses over the next two years to help achieve gender parity at Paris 2024.

At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, wrestling is set to take place on August 5 and 6 at the Coventry Building Society Arena.