An All Women C-License Referee Seminar and Examination was conducted recently in Manila from October 13-17, 2018 to coincide with the Asian U-23 Fencing Championships. This was made possible through the efforts of the FIE Women and Fencing Council in cooperation with the Fencing Confederation of Asia to make sure that more women referees were developed in fencing. The seminar and exam were conducted by no less than two members of the FIE Referee Commission, Ms. Ianka Dakova and Mr. Kim Chang Gon.
The program was designed to begin with a half day seminar on the first day followed by a video exam in sabre in the afternoon while the next two days were reserved for the video exam for foil and epee. The practical exams were then held during the first two days of the U23.
A total of 33 aspiring referees from 15 countries participated in the examination. Because of numerous requests from countries in Asia however, 6 male referees were also allowed to participate provided that their country nominates a female referee first.
The first FIE All Women Referee Exam was held in San Jose, California in 2015.