East Asian Football Federation 20th Anniversary Seminar: Japan

 On 25th of July 2022 “the Women Empowerment Symposium” commemorating the 20th anniversary of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) was held at the Conrad Tokyo- Annex Bldg. 2F, Kazanami. This was to conducting keynote lectures and panel discussions focused on Women Empowerment through sports.

The speakers WE League Chairperson & JFA Vice President- Kikuko Okajima
UN Women, Director of Japan Liaison Office- Kae Ishikawa the attendees are Officials of the East Asian Football Federation, ASEAN Football Federation, and Asian Football Confederation.

Kae Ishikawa UN Women, Director of Japan Liaison Office spoke about how to Promote women’s leadership and gender equality in governance models, Prevent and respond to gender-based violence, what to do to close the gap in investment in women’s sport and promote equal economic opportunities for women
and girls, Promoting women’s equal participation and bias free representation in media and Providing equal opportunities for girls in sports, physical activity and physical education.

 

Kikuko Okajima, (WE League Chairperson & JFA Vice President) talked about Woman Empowerment in WE League, and the current situation in Japan
→ the concept of WE League, its goal, the cooperation with UN Woman, its position inside JFA
→ case studies of the above and business collaborations.

Based on the presentation by WE League Japan chairman Kikuko Okajima, the gender gap index in Malaysia is high at 103. “We need to improve the way we promote women’s football, including reporting by the local media,”

Hamidin said at the Women’s Empowerment Symposium held in conjunction with the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) 20th Anniversary in Tokyo, Japan yesterday.

She continue by talking about WE ACTION which is the movement where players, WE club teams and partner companies together realize the league’s mission to promote a society which allows everyone with a diversity of dreams and ways of living to individually shine through women’s football and other sports and together (WE) take ACTION to make it a reality.

There has been a huge gender gap between women’s and men’s football in Malaysia. Malaysia and East Asian countries also need to play a more proactive role in strengthening women’s football in the region to bridge the gap with men’s football.

It was also noted that the coaching leadership for the women’s football team, needs to be elevated to a better level.

“We need to improve, This team needs to be streamlined so that it continues to roar, and this movement needs to start immediately, from the bottom, especially at the grassroots and coaching levels.

“However, as presented at this symposium, the movement to empower women’s football needs the cooperation and support of all parties, especially in media exposure.

Written by Gifty Okoampah and Nana Yaw Pop JafriQRadio

 

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