RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza - In the Gaza Strip, women take part in all spheres of life from sports to art. Mervat al-Bitar, the founder of the first women’s football team in the Gaza Strip, struggles to show women's achievements in sports. She is now a board member of the Al-Mashtal Sports Club and responsible for the Culture, Media and Women’s Committee. She says that founding a women’s football team within the club was not easy for her.

A club founded by men

Stating that the club was founded by only men, Mervat al-Bitar said, “There were only male members of the club. I had many difficulties in founding the first women’s football team by challenging the gender stereotypes and social pressure. When I heard about the Steps program funded by several Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon, stipulated that the club should allow the participation of women and children, I decided to found a women’s football team.”

“We faced many challenges”

Mervat Al-Bitar noted that their team was nominated for the football tournament in Tokyo. “We faced many challenges in Tokyo. All opportunities were provided for male football players but not for us. Despite obstacles, we achieve significant success. Our team was qualified to participate in international tournaments such as the Dana Cup, International Youth Football Tournament held in Denmark. However, the interest in women’s football in Arab countries is very low. So there are few equipped clubs in Arab countries compared to other countries. Women’s football teams do not have a dressing room and the necessary equipment. Despite the obstacles, women’s football teams achieve significant success."

They face gender discrimination

Pointing out that a day has been determined for training of women football players, Mervat al-Bitar said, “We face gender discrimination. Men are always given priority. Male football players have more time for training. For this reason, we applied to the Palestine Sports Federation to pay more attention to the women's team. All I want is the end of the patriarchal mentality in society. I want to open the first football school to teach girls how to play football.”