Women’s soccer receives far less attention and recognition globally than men’s football. When football is mentioned, the majority of society automatically thinks of men’s football.
Women’s soccer was banned for years in many countries. In Germany, it was prohibited by the DFB from 1955 to 1970.
Only recently, the men’s club of Amedspor was promoted to the 1st League (Turkish Süper Lig). A major achievement for many Kurdish people in Turkey and North Kurdistan.
However, many do not know that Amedspor’s women’s club has been in the 1st League of the Women’s Süper Lig for a long time.
The problem that women’s soccer is hardly taken seriously globally is a structurally rooted problem. In all areas, men’s football is always in the foreground.
In public discourse and in the media, little is discussed and reported about women’s soccer. The reduction of broadcast times, the decrease in production budgets, and the limited coverage result in a circular process.
Lower visibility results in lower viewership numbers, which in turn leads to lower advertising revenue and investments. Without media presence, generating mass interest is not possible.
There is a massive difference in the payment of players. Both the salaries and the prize money and bonuses are much higher for men than for women.
There are reports that female athletes from Turkey and North Kurdistan, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic but also afterward, had to seek part-time jobs to survive. Meanwhile, male soccer-player did not have to worry about their existence.
Stereotypes such as “Soccer is not a sport for women” indicate a deeply rooted cultural anchoring. It must be noted that female players are generally measured by male standards, instead of viewing the sport as an independent discipline.
But women are not taken seriously not only as athletes, but also not as fans. When women are interested in soccer or are fans of a club, it is immediately assumed that they have no or less knowledge than male fans.
The Kurdish women’s soccer clubs from Amed and Colemerg are not just arbitrary clubs, but also a sign of resistance and emancipation. They are clubs founded by women, supported by women.
This means we can be doubly proud of our athletes and clubs, who continue to assert themselves despite enormous repression. It is important to reflect that the achievements of Kurdish women are made invisible and to identify this as a societal problem.