When England soccer player Leah Williamson addressed the United Nations in New York this week, she spoke of her recent visit to Za’atari in Jordan, the world’s biggest Syrian refugee camp.
She spoke of the power of sport - soccer in particular - to change lives after witnessing the work being done by Save The Children and The Arsenal Foundation within the camp.
Girls, she says, became empowered after being introduced to the sport, while male attitudes were changed as a result. Williamson’s message, however, goes beyond one laudable project with refugees in Jordan. She is using her status to challenge gender stereotypes that she says continue to hold women and girls back and is calling for parity in soccer.
“The world has been the way it has been for a long, long time,” she told The Associated Press before her address on Tuesday. “Not only do we face the stereotype from these sort of archaic beliefs that women are only meant to be a certain way ... But we are also conditioned to believe them. So I think it is not just a conversation that needs to be had with men, it needs to be had with women who can then find the confidence to take the opportunity when it is presented to them.” Williamson is calling for a “level playing field.”
There is an obvious disparity between the opportunities afforded refugees and women and girls from more affluent parts of the world. But the England captain says gender imbalance is widespread.
The recent Women’s World Cup underlined the soaring popularity of women’s soccer, while the growth of leagues in Europe is further evidence of its appeal. Yet there have also been reminders of the issues that remain in the game.
The tournament was overshadowed by the fallout after former Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony for Spain’s triumph in Australia last month.
“It’s the exact reason I am here, I go to Jordan and I want to be involved in these events in the U.N. To highlight what isn’t just an isolated incident,” Williamson said. “It’s the life. It’s the environment we’ve created for women and the environment we are trying to step away from and be respected in the way we should be. “There are so many things that we’ve been conditioned to believe that’s what happens,’” Williamson said. “A woman walks down the street and she accepts certain things happen because that’s just the way of the world.” She added, “we can change it. That’s up to us. I’m trying. I’m doing my bit.”
There have been other disputes over pay and conditions.
England’s preparations for the World Cup were cast against the backdrop of a dispute with the Football Association over bonuses and commercial arrangements.
