Speech by the President of the Government while hosting the Women's U-17 Football Team

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Good afternoon.

Just a few words to at least give some context to this speech and, above all, this event.

Friends, Luis, Federation Chairman,

It is an authentic luxury to have with us here today the players and whole technical team from the Women's Under-17 Team because you convey so many positive values that it's impossible not to get carried away with your strength and enthusiasm.

The first thing I want to do is thank you. Thank you for never giving up, thank you for working hard and, above all, thank you for believing in yourselves. Thank you also for making us feel proud again as we watch our national team convey the best values of our Spanish society to the rest of the world.

When we ask ourselves in a few years' time when it was that we started to fairly appreciate women's sport and football, we will say it was precisely back in 2018: A year full of success stories written by female athletes like you, with individual personalities, in all sorts of sports, some with a larger following - like football - but also other lesser-known sports. I believe this event also pays a well-deserved tribute to all those women too.

In every case, these victories are the result of effort, dedication from determined, winning women. The 21st century - I've said it before - is the century of women. We see that in events like this, and we should appreciate and recognise women even more.

The trend has been backward for many years. The tendency has been to keep our mouths shut, to hide, and I think it's important to break down that wall of indifference: let there never be indifference any more. You are a source of pride in Spanish sport and you should be recognised as such.

Society has started to do that, but the public authorities also need to do it. Every single one of the public institutions. And we see that as a priority. The government's premise is clear: being a woman and an athlete cannot be a question of heroism. Nor should women's sport be overshadowed by the men's categories.

In few places can inequality be seen as clearly as in sport; the inequality gap between men and women that we should be working together to break down - society and, of course, the public institutions too. Closing that inequality gap is one of the priorities, I want to tell you, that I assumed personally when I took responsibility as President of the Government.

You belong to a generation that is tired of vacuous words. And that explains a good portion of the disenchantment towards institutions that can be felt from all of Spanish society.

The Government of Spain is aware of that, and it's why we wanted that commitment to be reflected in tangible measures from the get-go. In measures that can be felt.

The fight for true equality between men and women, the fight for recognition of women's sport, is an urgent fight. No issue of basic justice can wait, and no excuses are therefore valid. There is an anomaly, discrimination towards women's sport and female athletes, and that must end now.

That's why, the Council of Ministers approved on Friday what is being called the Draft Bill on Sport, which you'll have seen covered in the various media. To give you an idea, this Sport Act replaces the one from 1990. In other words, it's taken 19 years to approve a law with everything that has changed in sport and, above all, in equality between men and women.

But look, the draft bill includes several measures to end the gap between men and women in sport. In this regard, I would also like to recognise Luis' role because he has done a great deal for this law to happen. I will mention just a few things because I'm sure they will address some of your day-to-day concerns. For example:

Equal balance between men and women in management bodies, governing bodies and representational bodies of sports entities, in accordance with the Equality Act. In other words, there should be an equal number of men and women.

Protection for work-life balance, maternity, breastfeeding, as well as equality in allowances and prizes at any competition in which public money has been invested, which I also think is an essential factor that you've expressed to us on many occasions while speaking with your team coaches.

Measures for guaranteeing equal rights and obligations for athletes.

The establishment of protocols to prevent violence against women and sexual abuse and bullying at sports entities.

The creation of a gender committee at all the corresponding federations, which will be required to submit an annual report to the National Sports Council.

And the promotion of better visibility for women's sport in the media, especially the public media.

So, friends,

I think that things have started to change for the better in women's sport. This has happened because of you, and now it's time for public institutions to do our part.

I will end with an anecdote about something that happened a few weeks ago, a few days ago, but that I think illustrates the huge change taking place in women's sport: Three years ago, the top team in the women's football league - Athletic de Bilbao, at the time - had to cancel a press briefing because not even one media outlet attended to cover the event.

Three years later, just three days ago, the San Mamés stadium broke the attendance record for a women's football match. More than 48,000 people - think about that for a second, more than 48,000 people - attended the women's football match between Athletic de Bilbao and Athletic de Madrid.

Those bustling stands meant many things. But, above all, they meant recognition. Recognition of the effort by each and every one of the people, of the women, who lead women's sport. It's been many years, decades of working in silence, against the trend, and, I'm convinced, often thankless.

For that reason, I want to again express gratitude and congratulations on behalf of the Government of Spain and, dare I say it, Spanish society as a whole. The whole of Spain is proud of you and feels reflected in the values you defend on the pitch.

They say that taking part is what counts, at least that's what they always tell us when we take up a sport. And, there's no doubt, taking part is indeed important. But winning, as you do, isn't bad either.

So, congratulations, all the best for the Algarve Cup and make yourselves at home because this is also your house.

Thank you.

(Transcription edited by the State Secretariat for Communication)

Non official translation