International Women's Day 2024

I have always felt valued as a person, but the work that we women do needs to be defended and fought for much more than that of men

Pilar Castillo Cid is the Disability Access Officer at Real Betis Balompié. She is the dedicated point of contact for the club's disabled fans, and works across all departments of the club to promote wider accessibility and inclusion Read more

I realised later that the pressure was actually, to some extent, double. Not only am I a woman, but I am also a disabled woman

Anna Rossi is a passionate disabled football fan from Italy. She is also involved in the Italian Paralympic Powerchair Sports Federation (FIPPS) which organises and coordinates the activities and the leagues of Powerchair Football as well as Powerchair Hockey, which she plays herself Read more

The only way is to love football, which unites women and men, disabled and non-disabled people

Gohar Navasardyan is a disabled football supporter, Disability Access Officer, and all-round champion of access and inclusion in Armenia. She shares her thoughts on the role that football plays in her life. Read more

Female ambassadors and representation in the game really do make a difference, especially for young women

Daniela Wurbs is the Managing Director of KickIn! - a German organisation working with stakeholders nationally to promote diversity and inclusion, and encouraging access improvements at stadiums across the country Read more

When I started going to watch live football, it was very noticeable that disabled women did not go to matches very often

CAFE Fans Liaison, Access and Administration Officer, Amy Wilson, shares her thoughts below on life as a disabled fan, as well as a woman with a career in the sports sector Read more

There still isn’t the same acceptance for women playing or watching football

Marion Helm is a VfB Stuttgart supporter, and the founder and Chairwoman of the Neckarstadiongang13 fan group. The group's articles of association make specific reference to committing to wider inclusion for disabled people Read more

If it means that they have to make changes for you to be welcomed, then that can only benefit the game

Jill Rattray is a disabled football fan from Scotland. A passionate Dundee United supporter, she told us about first falling in love with the game and the issues that affect her and her matchday experience Read more

The truth is that football has always been a man's world, but little by little women are making inroads and taking on roles that were not so common in the past

Maria Castello is the Disability Access Officer at Club Atlético de Madrid. She has seen first-hand the impact that access to live sport can have for disabled fans, as well as the barriers that women can often encounter seeking employment within sport Read more