Fair play and diversity

Switzerland is hosting this year's edition of the UEFA women's football championships. A total of 16 teams will go head to head from 2–27 July. The tournament will be hosted at eight venues, one of which is Geneva – home to the Centre for Sport and Human Rights. Founded in 2018 following a multi-stakeholder dialogue, the centre became an association under Swiss law in 2021, with the FDFA among its founding members. By emphasising good governance that focuses on ensuring that sporting activities uphold human rights, sports such as football can advance human rights, sustainable development, solidarity and social inclusion.The Centre for Sport and Human Rights works to improve human rights standards in sport and works together with all stakeholders to ensure respect for human rights at major sporting events such as the Olympic Games and football championships. 

Switzerland, which hosts more than 70 international sports organisations, advocates upholding human rights in sport. The emphasis is on improving the human rights situation within sport and safeguarding those who may be affected, including athletes, communities, employees, fans, the media and volunteers. This effort forms part of the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as outlined in the corresponding national action plan (Measure 7 of the revised NAP 2024-27). 

In connection with the UEFA Women's EURO 2025, the FDFA’s Equal Opportunities Section is hosting the event 'Fair play and diversity: the FDFA meets Women's EURO', which explores the evolution of women's football in Switzerland along with its prospects and challenges – from the pitch to institutional and political structures. The panel will include Lara Dickenmann (UEFA Women's EURO 2025 ambassador), Audrey Remy (BSC YB midfielder), Dr Marianne Meier (author of "The Right to Kick: The History of Swiss Women's Football") and Gian-Marco Caggia (president of Femina Kickers Worb). 

We sat down with Lara Dickenmann and the FDFA's delegate for equal opportunities, Miriam Ganzfried, to hear their thoughts on fair play and diversity in women's football.

Ms Dickenmann, what role does football play when it comes to promoting equality and social transformation?

Football has enormous reach and makes women more visible – in an area that has long been dominated by men. Events such as the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 raise public awareness of women in sport. Players and officials become role models who inspire and show new ways ahead. Football can break down stereotypes and change perceptions of women as high-performance athletes in the long term.

Ms Dickenmann, what are the prospects and challenges, in your view? 

Opportunities arise from the growing visibility, professionalisation and social relevance of women's football. Challenges include sustainable financing, structural development, for example in youth development, and genuine equality in leadership roles. Clear strategies, the courage to break new ground and people who are willing to question and change existing structures are needed.

Ms Ganzfried, what role do institutions and political structures play in promoting equal opportunities in sport? 

State structures and sporting organisations are key players in advancing gender equality in sport. They set up essential frameworks, create support mechanisms and implement specific equality initiatives. 

Since 2025, the Swiss federal government has mandated balanced gender representation in the governing bodies of sports organisations thanks to the amended Sports Promotion Ordinance. Yet currently, women lead only approximately 23% of sports clubs (as of 2022). Sporting organisations like UEFA also promote equality: their strategic plan from 2019 to 2024 placed women's football as the number one priority, sending a strong message about the importance of equality in international sport. 

Ms Ganzfried, why do you think it's important for young women around the world to have access to football? 

For the same reason that young women should have equal access to all other areas of life, whether economic, political or social. Research shows that football is especially beneficial for young women's self-esteem. Football promotes physical well-being and teaches essential social skills like teamwork, communication and cooperation. 

Targeted support for young women in football has benefits that extend well beyond the playing field: it builds confidence, fosters team spirit and develops leadership capabilities. At the same time, it helps dismantle gender stereotypes, making it a powerful tool for promoting equality between the sexes.

What were your takeaways from the Fair play and diversity: the FDFA meets Women's EURO event that you help organise to promote equal opportunities?

The first key takeaway for me was the importance of visibility and role models in women's football. This relevance extends far beyond sport; it is also evident in politics, business and other areas of society. It is important to make women visible and give them space to act as role models. Because ‘seeing is believing’. Secondly, equal opportunities are an issue that concerns everyone. We need people who actively promote equal opportunities in sport and beyond, regardless of gender. In an equal society, it should be a matter of course that women coach men's teams – just as men coach women's teams.

The Roadmap to Remedy project aims to create fair procedures, sound decision-making and long-term solutions to provide victims of abuse in sport with adequate and secure investigation and resolution mechanisms. The Centre for Sport and Human Rights has partnered with various stakeholders to study how the sporting world can more effectively address abuse allegations in order to identify necessary improvements for accountability and remediation. The Roadmap to Remedy provides practical tools and guidance to effectively address abuse in sport. It includes concrete resources for investigators and those reporting incidents, including examples of good and bad practice, and facilitates safe interactions with victims. Additionally, the roadmap offers trauma-informed methodology for sport organisations to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of practical recommendations. The overall objective is to encourage sports federations to take further steps in this area.