Football Stars Unite to End Toxic Masculinity and Violence Against Women

A powerful initiative has emerged from the UN Women Europe and Central Asia office. In the Western Balkans and Turkey, popular football players are joining forces to tackle toxic masculinity and violence against women. In this groundbreaking collaboration, athletes from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey are taking a stand against social norms that perpetuate inequality and contribute to the alarming rates of violence faced by women.

At the core of preventing violence against women lies the need to address deeply ingrained social norms that perpetuate inequality. These football icons are breaking the silence surrounding this issue, recognizing that change starts with challenging conventional views on masculinity. By doing so, they seek to redefine what it means to be a man and highlight the harmful effects of normalizing violence against women on men and boys.

With their influential status as role models, these well-known football players are utilizing their platform to advocate for positive masculinity. In the video, they share their thoughts on how embracing respect, equality, and empathy is essential in fostering a society where violence has no place. Their insights resonate beyond the football field, encouraging fans and society at large to actively contribute to positive change.

This impactful video is part of a larger regional campaign titled "Embracing positive masculinities to promote gender equality and end violence against women - Show that you are in the first league." Developed within the framework of the UN Women regional programme "Implementing Norms, Changing Minds," the campaign focuses on ending violence against women in the Western Balkans and Turkey. The European Union has generously funded this program, acknowledging the significance of collective efforts to combat gender-based violence.

Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkAPwtHIvNA