Women’s Soccer Around the World
In the United States, the last couple of decades have changed so much on behalf of feminism, sports being no exception. Though female athletes in America still don’t get the same recognition as the men’s teams do, compared to the rest of the world, the United States are far more ahead. Our advancements play a big role in winning championships, in fact, the US women’s national soccer team is considered “the most successful team in international women’s soccer” and has produced many world-renowned athletes such as Mia Hamm, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapino. Though the USA is very blessed to be this ahead, in other countries feminism is considered a distant dream.
Brazil
Marta Vieira da Silva, more commonly known as Marta, is considered one of the most famous female soccer players in history and is possibly the best product yet to come out of the Brazilian female soccer program. Not only is she proving herself on the pitch, but she is also fighting for feminism off of it. Marta grew up in Dois Riachos, one of Brazil’s poorest towns, and was brought up being told it wasn’t right for girls to play soccer. In fact, “from 1941 until 1979, girls and women in Brazil were banned from playing soccer — not in schools, not for fun, and certainly not professionally.” Brazil has been fighting for years and years for equality and even after lawsuits, advocating, and more, they still are not equal.
“People need to see sports in general as a way to fight against everything that is negative. To fight against prejudice, to fight against inequality, and to empower and help culture as well,” said Marta. “If used well with education, sport is also a great tool to help kids. Also, to find the respect for all the difference we have.”
Africa
Africa, an extremely unfortunate country, is sadly not only a poverty-stricken country in the world but, also a very gender discriminant one. Recently, sociologists have examined “that women’s involvement in sports, specifically soccer has had an impact on the balance of gender power in South Africa on National, community and personal levels.” Africa is taking steps towards this and even has a women’s national team. They are still working on developing a successful team, as it is challenging in their position, considering their financial situation. Their first game was in 1993 and they have only improved from then. They qualified for Olympic football for the first time in 2012, and for a FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in 2019. Though soccer hasn’t fixed all of this countries issues, it has made advancements for African women and has given them an escape from their unsafe reality in a country with “high rates of rape and domestic violence, suggesting poor gender equality, widespread discrimination, and male dominance.”
Yemen
Yemen is one of the most gender discriminate countries in the world to this day. In this Middle-Eastern country, Yemeni women hold barely any economic, social or cultural rights. The women of Yemen have recently developed a soccer team, and though they have not played in a FIFA recognized match, it is a huge step forward for Yemeni women. In a country full of gender-based violence and bias, they need something to unite them with one another, something they could celebrate for and show pride in. Yemeni women, though they have a long way to go, are on their way to gender-equality which will only lead to bigger things for them. Right now, they aren’t allowed to have a say in anything, but where will they be in 30 years?
France
As the holder of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, France has some big expectations, but like the rest of the world, their female team doesn’t get the same recognition. In fact, “as of 2009, 26% of the federation’s budget is dedicated to men’s football while only 4% is dedicated to a category for technical development, which includes women’s football, refereeing, futsal, and sports medicine.” Though the World Cup isn’t for a couple more months, as per usual, there is already some controversy surrounding it. France has developed world-renowned names such as Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, but no females come to mind when people think of France. France, just like the USA and most other countries, struggles with an extreme wage gap. In fact, Paul Pogba is the fifth-highest-paid soccer player, making $29.5 million, which consists of the $25 million he makes through salary and winnings and the $4.5 million he earns from endorsements.” While the highest paid female player from France, Amandine Henry, only makes $70,000. (2016).
“Questions started when fans heard how much money the U.S. Women’s National Team got for the historic win over Japan.
They received $2 million.
When the men’s team lost in round sixteen of last year’s tournament, they got $8 million.”
Gender discrimination of mild and extreme levels are all over the world, from the United States to Africa, nobody is truly equal. Whether it’s their salary, their playing conditions, or in some cases living conditions, it has affected females development of play, which is unfair and unnecessary. Because of this lack of opportunity, players potential is being held back. Players talent across the world has been justified simply because of their gender, but it has created fighters. Women’s teams all over the world are constantly advocating for equal opportunity and every day we get a step closer to the end goal of equality.
“I would rather be called strong than pretty. I would rather be called muscular than skinny. I would rather be called athletic than beautiful. I would rather be called an athlete than a girl.”
-Gracen Chaney
