Beijing+30 Youth Blog: I love playing football and want to do it without facing discrimination
Date:
I love playing football and want to do it without facing discrimination. I am uncomfortable with being treated more softly just because I am a girl or threatened with being taken out of the game if I make a mistake. Football is my passion, and I want to play freely without giving it up.
When I decided to play football, I faced prejudice from both friends and teachers. Since I was already on the school volleyball team, my teachers told me that volleyball was more suitable for me and discouraged me from joining the football club. After a long struggle, I was finally allowed to join, becoming the only girl in the club. However, the challenges didn't end there. Teachers would worn the boys to play more gently because I was supposedly "sensitive." This special treatment led to bullying from my peers. Even when I had the ball, my teammates would laugh, sarcastically congratulate me, and try to teach me how to play football, as if I didn't already know.
People often think that girls don't have a place in sports like football, which are mostly played by boys. I am not trying to fit in by acting masculine, nor am I seeking male attention by playing football. I simply want to be able to play and feel comfortable with every version of myself. I should be able to dye my hair, wear make-up, or wear shorts without issues.
I want to change this system that mocks me every time I enter a match. Since boys are the majority, they set the rules. For example, when teams are selected, they place me in defensive positions at the back to keep me out of sight. Ironically, when I successfully counter their tackles, they mock their teammates, saying, "Can't you handle a girl?"
I study at a private school in Istanbul, and despite my efforts, I struggle to fit in with the boys. I am aware that other girls my age may not even have the opportunity to play sports considered “for boys”. I wish for football to be a mixed sport, without distinctions between women's and men's football. I want to be visible, play on the left wing, and score goals. I aspire to be a female footballer who can set an example for future generations. All in all, I envision a world where women are more visible in sports.
It's crucial to recognize the challenges girls and women face in sports, as I’ve experienced in football. Despite my love for the game, I’ve faced discrimination from friends and teachers who didn’t think football was appropriate for girls. This has made me feel discouraged and unfairly treated.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action emphasizes the importance of providing equal opportunities for girls and women in sports. It aims to eliminate stereotypes and include everyone. Girls should be able to follow their dreams without being stopped because of their gender. Participation in sports like football can boost confidence and develop leadership skills, contributing to a sense of empowerment and capability. By challenging societal perceptions and promoting equitable access to sports, we can ensure that girls have the opportunity to participate, excel, and inspire others, both now and in the future.
Biography:
Aybüke Yıldırım is a 14-year-old activist from Istanbul, Türkiye, and advocates for gender equality in sports. Born in 2010, she challenges stereotypes as the only girl in her school's football club. Aybüke also organizes feminist theatre adaptations, demonstrating her broader commitment to gender equality beyond the football field.
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