UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous welcomes Olympian Eda Erdem to UN Women Headquarters in her role as National Goodwill Ambassador for Türkiye
Eda Erdem met with UN Women's leadership to discuss the Entity’s Sport Strategy, which centres on shifting social norms and dismantling harmful stereotypes.
Date:
Ankara, Türkiye – 04 June 2026 UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous welcomed Olympian and Türkiye Women's National Volleyball Team Captain Eda Erdem to UN Women Headquarters in New York, marking her first engagement at the global office since her designation as UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for Türkiye in October 2025.
The visit reinforced UN Women's commitment to advancing women's leadership, equality and the empowerment of women and girls in and through sport, and the central role of National Goodwill Ambassadors in carrying these messages to wider audiences in their own countries and globally.
"Eda Erdem is a powerful example of what is possible when women lead, on the court, in sports governance, and in society," said Sima Bahous, UN Women Executive Director. "Her voice carries far beyond Türkiye, and her partnership with UN Women will help inspire a new generation of women and girls to step into leadership and to be heard at every decision-making table. We are honoured to welcome her to the UN Women family and look forward to working closely with her to advance gender equality, in sport and beyond."
A long-time captain of the Türkiye Women's National Volleyball Team, Eda Erdem is among the most decorated players in the history of women's volleyball. She has led Türkiye to major international victories, including the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Nations League and the European Championship, and made history as the first Turkish woman volleyball player to compete at three Olympic Games. Beyond the court, she served as Chair of the Athletes' Commission of the Türkiye Olympic Committee, where she supported initiatives that elevate women's roles in sports governance.
"Sport built my confidence, and confidence changes lives. It opens doors and shows girls how to raise their voice. But this only works when sport is truly fair, and for too many women and girls, it still isn't," said Eda Erdem, UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for Türkiye. "As Goodwill Ambassador, I want to help turn fair play into real opportunities to lead, for all women and girls, everywhere. Our voice, our power."
During her visit, Eda Erdem met with UN Women's leadership and technical teams to discuss UN Women's Sport Strategy, the role of sport as an entry point for shifting social norms, and the importance of engaging men and boys alongside women and girls to dismantle harmful stereotypes and normalise women as leaders. She also toured the United Nations Headquarters, including the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council Chamber, and recorded a short-form video for release across UN Women's global, regional and country social media platforms ahead of upcoming campaigns marking fair play and equality through sport.
Sport remains one of the most powerful platforms for advancing gender equality, a force that unites, inspires and transforms. UN Women's Sport Strategy harnesses sport to dismantle discriminatory social norms, amplify women's voices, and create safe spaces for girls to see themselves not only as athletes but as leaders. Through her role as National Goodwill Ambassador for Türkiye, Eda Erdem will continue to amplify these messages and stand as a visible reminder that women's leadership belongs in every arena.
In Türkiye, this commitment is already well established. Over seven years, UN Women Türkiye's partnership with Fenerbahçe Sports Club under the HeForShe movement, supported by Tüpraş, has worked to transform sport institutions into more inclusive and equal spaces, producing practical tools from safeguarding frameworks to guidance for gender-responsive sports media. Building on this experience, UN Women Türkiye continues to expand partnerships across the sports ecosystem, from federations to national Olympic and Paralympic committees and athletes, advancing equality for women and girls both in and through sport.
UN Women looks forward to continuing its work with Eda Erdem and partners across the Olympic Movement, in Türkiye and globally, to accelerate progress for all women and girls.