Women’s football as a driver of social change | OneFootball

International Women’s Day on 8 March doubles as celebration and stocktake, with women’s football now a catalyst for change. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Spain women’s head coach Sonia Bermúdez, RFEF women’s football director Reyes Bellver and Mapfre’s Marta Cabanillas outlined routes to greater visibility and opportunity.

Fresh from duty in Türkiye, Bermúdez said Spain are on the road to Brazil in a tough group with Iceland, Ukraine and England. They have begun with wins, 3-0 over Iceland and 1-3 against Ukraine, and face England next. She hopes momentum continues.

She added that equality must be pursued daily, step by step, from each person’s sphere. All three saluted pioneers, with Bermúdez citing her mother’s example and Bellver pointing to her grandmother’s resolve.

Bellver helped shape FIFA’s player-status reforms that embedded maternity protections, including paid leave for players and coaches and lactation rooms. These measures are now compulsory across FIFA’s 211 federations.

From business, Cabanillas said Mapfre’s support goes beyond branding, championing equality, diversity and effort, and creating matchday experiences for staff, families and children who walk out with the team. The insurer sponsors the Copa del Rey Mapfre and Spain’s men’s, women’s and under-21 sides, helping it connect at home and abroad.

On leadership, the trio agreed it is about building teams rather than imposing will. Bellver spoke of enabling others to lead, while Bermúdez backs delegation, treats players as people first and relies on respect, clear roles and teamwork.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo