Football has become a powerful platform for empowering women, providing them with opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and challenge traditional gender roles. As more female athletes gain visibility, young girls are increasingly inspired to pursue their sporting ambitions. According to Women in Sport, 38% of girls now dream of reaching the top of sport, a significant rise from 29% in 2023. This increase highlights how representation and success in women’s football can motivate the next generation to see themselves as future athletes, coaches, or industry leaders. Additionally, 63% of girls say that the Paris 2024 Olympics have inspired them to try a new sport, reinforcing the idea that global sporting events and strong female role models play a crucial role in encouraging participation.
Recognizing the benefits of football for women, major sporting organizations are actively investing in initiatives to promote gender equality and increase opportunities in the sport. FIFA, through its Women’s Football Strategy, has set clear objectives: Grow Participation to increase the number of female players globally, Enhance the Commercial Value of the women’s game to ensure financial sustainability, and Build the Foundations to establish a well-governed and structured ecosystem for women’s football. These efforts help create better opportunities for female players, coaches, and executives while ensuring the long-term development of the sport.
Similarly, UEFA has committed to key objectives that focus on Integration and Perception, ensuring women’s football is valued equally to the men’s game. Grassroots development to increase participation from a young age, Player Pathway initiatives to support progression from amateur to professional levels, and Governance improvements to encourage more women in leadership roles. By addressing these areas, UEFA aims to elevate the status of women’s football and create a lasting impact on the sport. Beyond professional opportunities, football provides social and psychological benefits that empower women both on and off the pitch. It helps develop teamwork, resilience, and confidence, reinforcing the idea that sport is a tool for personal and professional growth. With FIFA and UEFA driving investment and development, football continues to break barriers and empower women worldwide.
References
- Women in Sport. (2024). More Girls Inspired by Sport than Ever Before. Retrieved from https://womeninsport.org/
- FIFA. (2024). Women’s Football Strategy. Retrieved from https://inside.fifa.com/womens-football/strategy
- UEFA. (2012). Women’s Football Development Programme. Retrieved from https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/EuroExperience/Women/WFDP/01/72/39/37/1723937_DOWNLOAD.pdf
