Interview: “Empowering women means empowering society and strengthening countries for the future.”

Selma Altay Rodopman, the HeForShe Fenerbahçe spokesperson, contributes to Turkish sports as a member of the Board of Directors of Fenerbahçe Sports Club and the Turkish National Olympic Committee. Since 2021, she has also served as a board member of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Türkiye while taking on the responsibility of Fenerbahçe Doğuş Sailing Branch. Rodopman believes that women should be more represented in sports and have equal opportunities. In line with this vision, she leads efforts to promote gender equality both in the organizations where she serves as a board member and under the umbrella of Fenerbahçe Sports Club.

As a board member of Fenerbahçe, a club that has taken many steps for women and girls over the years, could you share your thoughts on International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day, March 8 symbolizes the struggle for women to attain their rightful place in every aspect of society and the steps taken towards equality. It is not just a celebration but also a day to raise awareness and accelerate change. As Fenerbahçe Sports Club, we have been taking steps in this area since 2018. As the first sports club in our country to support the HeForShe movement, we believe that equality is not just a responsibility for women but for society as a whole. We will continue to encourage women to take on more roles as athletes, managers, coaches, and decision-makers.
Sports is a powerful tool for transforming societies. We take great pride in the achievements of our female athletes, knowing that their victories are not just confined to the field but also contribute significantly to societal awareness. We hope that their efforts and struggles will inspire future generations. On this occasion, I celebrate all women on International Women’s Day and reiterate our commitment to working together for a more equal and just future. Let us remember: empowering women means empowering society and strengthening countries for the future.

How do you assess the importance and impact of the Paris 2024 Olympics in terms of gender equality in sports? What opportunities and challenges does Türkiye face in this regard?

For the first time in our history, we participated in the Paris 2024 Olympics with a higher number of female athletes across 18 sports disciplines. Out of the 101 athletes representing us, 54 were women and 47 were men. I believe this representation marks the beginning of a very significant journey. Supporting female athletes in all sports disciplines in our country is of utmost importance. With the initiatives of our Ministry and the dedicated efforts in this field, I believe that the concept of gender equality in sports will become more visible. At Fenerbahçe Sports Club, we place great importance on ensuring that female athletes have a strong presence in sports.

We are fortunate to have had athletes like Ayten Salih, Sabiha Rıfat Gürayman, Eda Erdem, Buse Naz Sürmeneli, Hatice Akbaş, and many others represent our club and our country under the yellow and navy blue flag, making us proud with their successes. Our duty is to nurture the next generation of Ayten Salihs and Eda Erdems.

Could you provide detailed information on Fenerbahçe Sports Club’s programs, policies, and initiatives to promote equality in and through sports?

Beyond being a sports club that reaches millions, Fenerbahçe is also a brand committed to social benefit, youth-focused initiatives, and adding value to our country. In this context, in 2018, with the support of our sponsor Tüpraş, we announced our support for the HeForShe Movement, launched by UN Women under the belief that “equality can only be achieved when men and women stand together.” Since then, we have taken numerous steps, organizing various events across all our sports branches with the participation of our athletes, technical teams, club professionals, and board members. After conducting a gender gap analysis of our club, we identified areas for improvement and developed an equality action plan. Refusing to accept that any field is a “man’s job,” we established a football school for girls and formed a women’s football team.

Our club professionals, athletes, and technical teams have received gender equality training. We have created our own volunteer trainer team, and all professionals joining the Fenerbahçe family continue to receive this training. We consider standing at the forefront of every step taken for women and fostering social benefit and awareness in this field as both a responsibility and a duty.

Currently, we are on the verge of taking a very significant step. We have completed all preparations for the “Policy for the Protection Against Discrimination and Violence in Sports,” a joint initiative between our club and the HeForShe Movement. This has been a long-term effort, into which we have invested significant work. We are excited to once again set a precedent in Türkiye. This policy document includes comprehensive measures aimed at preventing discrimination and inequalities. It is a crucial step with a strong anti-discrimination and equality-focused approach. It is invaluable for Fenerbahçe, the World’s Largest Sports Club, to be a pioneer in such a critical area. In the coming period, we will provide detailed information about this policy to our entire community and the public.

What advice would you give to young women considering sports as a career or passion?

All women—each and every one of us—are incredibly valuable. We must believe in ourselves and chase our dreams. Instead of giving advice, I want to share a message that I always remind myself of: “Chase your dreams.” Achieving something is important, but what truly matters is the journey—the effort, the perseverance, and the struggle to reach a goal step by step.

I wholeheartedly believe that all women who pursue sports as a career or passion can reach their goals. We must support one another and take pride in each other’s achievements.