Ms. Samar Araj Mousa, Director of Athletics at Bethlehem University, was awarded the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Gender Equality Champion Award on 17 November 2023 at the FISU annual assembly meeting in Geneva.

This recognition is a tribute to her distinctive role and significant contributions over a number of years in achieving tangible results to advance gender equality in university sports. Ms. Araj Mousa played a key role in advancing the participation of Palestinian women in sports and defying the restrictive social norms that limit women and girls from realizing their capabilities and full potential in participating equally in the sports’ fields.

FISU is bestowed on an individual who has made significant efforts to advance and achieve gender equality in University Sports in their country, continent or internationally.