HeForShe Türkiye Marked The International Day of the Girl Child with a Focus on Empowering Girls Through Sports

On the 11th of October, UN Women celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child, with this year’s theme being ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future.’ Findings from UNICEF research highlighted that girls are not only courageous in the face of challenges but also hopeful about shaping a better future. Reflecting this spirit, HeForShe Türkiye spotlighted the transformative power of sports in empowering girls with a powerful message: empowering girls in sports builds stronger individuals and societies. In collaboration with Tupras and Fenerbahçe Sports Club, HeForShe Türkiye has been making strides to ensure girls have equal opportunities in sports—a crucial step toward achieving gender equality. 

Sports are more than just games; they are transformative. They build confidence, foster leadership skills, and teach solidarity. Encouraging girls to participate in sports not only benefits them personally but also reshapes societal perceptions of gender roles. 

One inspiring example of this transformation is İdil Nas Acar, a 15-year-old trailblazer who joined Fenerbahçe's football school in 2020. She is now a proud member of the U17 football team at Fenerbahçe Sports Club, a testament to her determination and the growing opportunities for girls in sports. 

Reflecting on her journey, İdil shared:

“When I first chose football, I was playing with boys because I thought there were no other girls like me. But later, I realized there were other girls, and they started to come. We began to inspire each other. There’s no such thing as 'men’s football.' Girls play volleyball, but boys aren’t excluded for playing volleyball. There’s no real difference in this sport either. 

She also addressed societal biases with resilience: 

Yes, there were people who came up to my face and said things like, 'Can a girl play football?' or 'A male tennis player?' Why shouldn’t women play football? What’s the reason, for example? Why do they think like this? Men are strong and tough. So, can’t we be too?   

Girls shouldn’t think they can’t do something just because they are girls. I don’t really think like that either. Because I didn’t think that way, I’ve come this far, I’ve made it here, and I joined this club. Right now, there are dozens of girls playing with us, and more are coming every year. Thanks to the support of Fenerbahçe and HeForShe, they will continue to come every year, hopefully.” 

Through partnerships like the one between HeForShe Türkiye, Tupras, and Fenerbahçe Sports Club, efforts to empower girls in sports have continued to grow. These initiatives are not just about breaking stereotypes but about creating a future where every girl has the opportunity to thrive—both on and off the field. 

By encouraging girls to embrace sports, we move one step closer to a world of equality, solidarity, and shared success. Because when girls rise, so does the whole society. 

Watch İdil Nas Acar’s Inspiring story here: