The tournament is expected to be watched by more than two billion people – the largest audience for a women’s game in history – offering an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women of all ages. sports and advocating for gender equality in general.
Female players continue to struggle with fewer professional opportunities, less brand sponsorship, less media coverage, unequal playing conditions and a large pay gap, compared to the men’s game. .
When female players succeed, they often face abuse online and in person, the UN’s gender equality agency stressed.
Eyes on the prize
To address some of these challenges, FIFA increased the prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup to $150 million, triple the amount awarded in 2019.
FIFA and the UN have also launched theirs Football Brings the World Together campaign that aims to highlight major issues of gender equality in and out of the field.
Under this umbrella, UN Women has partnered with FIFA on two calls to action that will feature prominently throughout the tournament. The first, Unite for Gender Equality, seeks to recognize gender equality as a fundamental human right and as critical for a peaceful and sustainable world. The second, Unite to End Violence against Womenserves as a call to end violence and abuse around the world.
Unite for Gender Equality is the feature message on the third day of competition while the call to action against violence will be front and center during the semi-finals.
Both calls to action will be promoted through team captains’ armbands, pitch-side digital LED boards, and social media.
Five other UN agencies also joined the campaign in addition to UN Women, including UNESCO, UNHCR, UN Human Rights Commission, World Food Programme, and World Health Organization.
‘Inspirational’ energy and skills
“The women competing in this World Cup are role models for every woman on this planet,” said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.
“Their strength and skills are inspiring. At the same time, this tournament is a reminder that there are many women and girls who are excluded from the world of sport, and even for those who participate, often experience discriminatory treatment and, even in some cases, abuse ” , added the UN gender equality champion.
“The Women’s World Cup shows how much not only they but the whole world loses when we fail to give women and girls the same opportunities as men and men. Our partnership with FIFA, including global ‘Football Unites the World’ campaign, featuring a serious commitment and ambition to address that for the benefit of all.”
Donations for these initiatives help UN Women fight for gender equality and empower women and girls in sport, can be done here.