Girls too

By Júlia Celma Werthwein

The streets of Prishtina remind me of home – alive like in Spain and Italy, with kids playing till late hours of the night, street artists adding to the vibrant ambiance, and the community coming together in the streets. The buzz around football, especially when Albania was playing, was infectious. However, amidst the excitement, I couldn’t help but notice one thing as missing compared to back home: almost no little girls were supporting or playing football in the streets, and the overwhelming majority of fans were men – probably around 80%.

As someone who grew up in Spain, where football enthusiasm is now shared by all genders, this contrast was eye-opening. In Spain, the football landscape changed dramatically after our women’s team won the World Cup in 2023. This victory didn’t just bring home a trophy; it sparked a cultural revolution. Now, it’s common to see little girls playing football in the streets and parks, inspired by the women they watched on TV. Football has become a sport for everyone, breaking down gender barriers and encouraging girls to dream big. Coming to Prishtina, where I almost didn’t see a single girl kicking a ball outside, highlighted just how much change still needs to happen.

The joy and excitement of the Euros in Prishtina was palpable, but it was predominantly a male affair. Women were present, but they were few and far between. But it isn’t about the numbers; it’s about what those numbers represent. The lack of visible female participation in football, whether as players or fans, underscores a deeper issue of gender inequality and the broader implications of gender inclusivity in football.

Through our project, which was centered around football as a peacebuilding tool during the Euros, we found that football as a peacebuilding tool is only effective on a local level and not on a national or transnational level. It does, however, unite a community that all support the same team. Nevertheless, if football can unite a community, it should do so for everyone, regardless of gender. My hope is that one day, the streets of Prishtina will echo with the sounds of girls playing football, just like boys do right now.