Shortly after International Women’s Day, the International University Sports Federation held its Gender Equality webinar on Monday, 11 March 2024.
Samar Mousa, recipient of the Gender Equality Champion Award, shared her inspiring journey of spearheading the development of Palestine’s inaugural women’s soccer team while serving as the Director of Athletics at Bethlehem University. Her mission aimed to empower young women, enabling them to fulfill their potential, realize their dreams, and embrace new experiences through football. Despite facing financial constraints and resistance from traditionalists, she remained steadfast in her efforts. She engaged directly with families to advocate for girls’ participation and navigated Israeli checkpoints to ensure their ability to compete. FIFA officially recognized the team in 2008, and several documentaries have since highlighted their story, underscoring the significance of inclusion for girls and women in sports, both in Palestine and globally.
