International Women’s Day
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- Fatma Samoura is the General Secretary of FIFA
- She is the first Muslim, African and woman to hold that influential position
- Samoura spoke to us on International Women ‘s Day and gave her a #ChooseToChallenge message
Fatma Samoura spent 21 years working on the United Nations (UN) high-level programs in Italy, the Republic of Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Niger, Madagascar, Nigeria, Central America and Central West Asia before joining FIFA in the United States. May 2016.
As the first Muslim, African and female FIFA Secretary General, she is a trainer for diversity and gender equality.
Since her appointment at FIFA the number of women employed by the organization has increased in the board, including senior management positions. She played a key role in the success of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the very successful eighth edition of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Fatma Samoura is committed to using the unique power of football to support, inspire and empower people around the world. International Women’s Day aims to celebrate the achievements of women around the world.
Which women are your most motivated or motivated?
The women who inspired and inspired me in my life have been the female leaders of my family: my mother and my grandmother. They were very different women, living at different times, but everyone was passionate about our family and made sure everyone reached their full potential.
My grandmother became a widow at a very young age and rejected the practice of remarrying someone who raised her family. Instead she focused on looking after her ten children and made sure they got a proper education.
My father was an army officer and he was seldom at home, so my mother put all her energy into getting a better life and careers for her nine children.
Their commitment, courage, encouragement and teaching have helped me to become who I am today and I am extremely grateful for the values of independence, perseverance and abnegation they have instilled in me. from a young age growing up in Senegal.
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As one of the highest ranking officials in football, how do you approach your role as Secretary General of FIFA and as a leading voice in promoting women and girls around the world?
I would say that it is an honor and an honor for me at first that girls and women look up to me. It is also a great honor and privilege to hold the position of Secretary General of FIFA, and to be the highest ranking woman at FIFA and in football. However, I am aware of the great responsibility this places on me as a representative of women, which I take very seriously.
I recognize that being the first woman and African to get this position at FIFA is a game changer and I want to inspire other women through what I have done. I try to use my voice when and where appropriate to support important causes and those in need.
Before I joined FIFA, I had worked for 21 years in the humanitarian field and had seen the best and worst of humanity. I had traveled extensively and experienced things I will never forget, for better and worse, but I had also seen the power of football to promote unity and empower people, especially women.
When I was asked by the President of FIFA to join the organization in 2016 I felt that FIFA was at the turning point in history on many levels and as the first woman ever to take the role. Taking General Secretary, I could really make a difference.
You’ve been in charge of sports for a while now. What are some of the core values that every leader in a sport, or other industry, should know?
I think leaders in any field should know that leading by example is very important and you can’t get the best from people if you don’t your diligence. You need to stay motivated, even if it’s not always easy, and be willing to lead people through difficult times as well as celebrate the big ones!
Be humble and able to interact with people regardless of their social or professional status. Don’t forget that family and friends are as important as work. Nurture these relationships and bring renewed energy and well-being into your professional life.
FIFA has taken a number of important steps to improve women ‘s football in recent years. For you, what are the most important steps FIFA has taken in this area? What steps is FIFA taking to promote diversity and inclusion, and to end discrimination, in football?
Gender equality, diversity and inclusion, women’s football and developing women in senior positions are all key areas for FIFA and something we take very seriously.
Indeed, one of our main aims is to work with a wide range of organizations, both in sport and in society at large, to ensure that football, the sport of popular in the world, leading the way in diversity, anti-discrimination and respect.
Following the huge success of France 2019 and the incredible platform this has created to promote women and girls around the world, FIFA has gone further and taken a number of important steps over the past 12 months. gone, further reinforcing our commitment to developing women, and the women ‘s game, on and off the pitch.
In addition to launching the Women’s Development Program and passing on maternity reforms to protect female players, FIFA is also donating 500,000 USD to each member association as part of the COVID Relief Plan- 19 to provide specific support to women’s football from the financial impacts of the pandemic. The impact of the pandemic on football cannot be underestimated and this support will go a long way to ensuring that we can move France 2019 towards the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 .
In addition, FIFA also runs a wide range of initiatives across different sectors, including Women’s Football, the FIFA Foundation as well as development programs led by our Member Associations Division. to support women. This is all in addition to the USD 1 billion investment to develop women’s football on its budget from 2019-2022.
In terms of FIFA staff, among 63 nationalities, we are 42 per cent women and 58 per cent men, so positive steps are being taken here.
We also run various initiatives to support professional development for staff, including the FIFA Women’s Network, a family network as well as informal counseling.
Finally, this year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #ChooseToChallenge. What is your advice or message about football, and women and girls around the world?
Remember in this age of social media the comparison is a thief of joy – don’t compare yourself to anyone because no one is like you!
Instead, remember that the more you learn, the more you choose to challenge yourself, the more innovative, flexible and engaged you become, the more that the future of us all looks bright and equal!
My other piece of advice for women and girls also knows what you want and go for it! You have a plan and stick to it. Be the best in your field, be confident and be proud. Believe in yourself. And most importantly a dream and a BIG DREAM!
This article is part of our series aimed at women’s football, and women in football, to mark 2021. International Women’s Day. To find out more about FIFA ‘s Women’ s Football Strategy and Development Programs, and to read more articles like this, click here.