Our Impact on Policy and Culture
2019: Contributed to overturning a 40-year-old Iranian stadium ban
to allow its 41 million women to watch men’s football matches in person. As members of a coalition, we managed the #NoBan4Women petition petition calling on FIFA president to uphold its own human rights policy to stop the discriminatory practice. We attracted 545,531 supporters worldwide. International and social media attention coupled with outreach to FIFA resulted in our Iranian activist-colleagues meeting the secretary general in November 2018 and FIFA President Infantino writing Iran football federation in June 2019 demanding a stop to the ban. Women were allowed into Azadi stadium on October 10, 2019.
2020: Contributed to passing the “Empowering Olympians, Paralympians and Amateur Athletes Act”
which will lead to reforming the rules of governance for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, National Governing Bodies, Youth Clubs, etc. to provide greater protections and power to athletes. We supported Champion Women and Team Integrity to reach Congress. The act was signed into law on October 30, 2020.
Read the EQL Youth Council Letter to Congress here.
2018: Contributed to passing The Protecting Young Athletes from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act
which enhances protections for millions of children from sexual abuse in sport. We supported Champion Women by attending Congressional hearings and creating a petition to attract media attention and 137,000 supporters. The act was signed into law on February 14, 2018.
Read a New York Times op-ed by EQL Special Advisor Jessica Howard: “USA Gymnastics must upend the twisted culture that enabled a sexual predator. Here’s what needs to change” here.
2019: Published an Open Letter to the Presidents of U.S. Soccer and FIFA
that called for Equal Pay and Prize Money for women in football worldwide. In the space of 48 hours, more than 100 multi-sector stakeholders signed the letter and serve as the base of our coalition continuing to advocate for gender equality. Read it here.
2018-2020: Partnered with Social Impact filmmakers
that included HBO’s “The Tale” and “At the Heart of Gold” films about child sexual abuse and with Creative Chaos on “This Changes Everything” documentary about women’s exclusion in Hollywood. We’re building bridges between sport and other sectors in which gender inequities persist.
Read an espnW article covering the event: HBO’s ‘The Tale’ truthfully depicts victim grappling with sexual abuse at the hands of a coach
2017: Contributed to overturning the FIBA hijab ban
so that Muslim women and girls do not have to choose between sport and religion. We supported affected athletes to amplify the issue with speaking and media opportunities as well as introductions to stakeholders that included players’ union leaders. We also partnered with Athlete Ally on an open letter signed by 50 top athletes from several sports. Read it here.