Okonjo-Iweala highlights football as a tool for trade and women’s empowerment

Okonjo-Iweala highlights football as a tool for trade and women’s empowerment

Hassan Abdulsalam 21:35 - 08.05.2023

Okonjo-Iweala joined the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) during Making Trade Score for Women!, a series of panel discussions held at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland where she spoke alongside FIFA President, Mr Gianni Infantino.

The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has highlighted more investment in women’s football.

Okonjo-Iweala joined the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) during Making Trade Score for Women!, a series of panel discussions held at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland where she spoke alongside FIFA President, Mr Gianni Infantino.

Pulse Sports reports that the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand and will be held between July 20 to August 20.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The Super Falcons will play their World Cup opener in Group B on July 21 against Canada in Melbourne, the Second game on July 27 against host Australia in Brisbane, and the last group game on July 31st against Ireland in Brisbane.

Okonjo-Iweala, a one-time Nigerian finance minister, said, “I hope the broadcasters are listening to what the FIFA President is saying about bidding higher for the Women’s World Cup, as this is a real opportunity to support women’s football, and I hope they’ll take you up on your offer."

On his part, FIFA President Infantino said that they must uphold moral and legal obligations by being honest about the FIFA Women's World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino | FIFA Image

He said, “To be very clear, it is our moral and legal obligation not to undersell the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Therefore, should the offers continue not to be fair (towards women and women’s football), we will be forced not to broadcast the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the ‘Big 5’ European countries.

“I call, therefore, on all players (women and men), fans, football officials, Presidents, Prime Ministers, politicians, and journalists all over the world to join us and support this call for a fair remuneration of women’s football. Women deserve it! As simple as that!."

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