For International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month we want to celebrate 12 women creating change.

Leaders set impossible goals, challenge norms and make space. In doing so they show others how it can be done. The women we are celebrating are doing just that within the wider Fare network. For us they are leaders.

Dr Anna Tatar (Poland) is a researcher with the NEVER AGAIN Association and an editor of the “Brown Book”, documenting hate crimes and racism in football. Through research, education and advocacy, she works to challenge discrimination and promote inclusive fan cultures.

Daliborka Nikolić (Bosnia) founded and leads the NOVA ŽENA girls’ football team in Sarajevo, providing free training opportunities for young players. Her work has enabled the first organised inclusion of Roma girls in football in Sarajevo Canton.

SS Lazio and Italy international Eleonora Goldoni uses her platform to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion. Through the WeFootball project, she supports initiatives that use football to empower and create opportunities for young people, particularly girls, in Africa.

Erica Puppo (Uruguay/ Netherlands) is Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at FIFPRO, leading the organisation’s strategy on anti-discrimination and player inclusion. She has also contributed to human rights advocacy in sport, including campaigns supporting migrant workers linked to the Qatar World Cup, and is pushing for the players voice in inclusion discussions.

Fnaan Woldegiorgis (Netherlands) is Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB). Since 2021, she has led initiatives and partnerships aimed at strengthening equality, representation and inclusion across Dutch football. She is a global leader in pushing for equal representation.

Sociologist Haifa Tlili (France) has been a leading spark in the national debate around France’s football hijab ban. Working with the collective Les Hijabeuses, as a researcher and activist, she continues to advocate for Muslim women’s right to play despite the blockages imposed by the French state.

Former FK Breznica Pljevlja captain Miljana Rondovic (Montenegro) has played a key role in developing women’s football in Montenegro. After her playing career, she became a UEFA B licensed coach and continues to support grassroots initiatives and international projects promoting women’s participation in the game.

Natalie Washington (UK) leads the Football v Transphobia campaign and has been a leading advocate for trans inclusion in sport for over a decade. A grassroots footballer and trainer, she works with football organisations globally to improve policies and practice on trans rights in an area that is now critical to inclusion debates.

Palesa Mashigo (South Africa / Netherlands) is a lecturer and PhD candidate at Erasmus University Rotterdam researching racism and diversity in European football culture. Her work focuses on improving opportunities for women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds in football leadership.

Reyes Bellver (Spain) is Director of Women’s Football at the Spanish Football Federation and founder of the platform Leadership Woman Football. Through her legal, policy and advocacy work, she has supported reforms advancing gender equality, including improved working conditions and maternity protections for players. Before being appointed to her role at the Federation she was represented the Spanish national women’s team in the face of the turmoil that resulted after the win.

Ruth Johnson (UK) has been part of FURD since 1997, building its extensive resources library and supporting community education. She has also helped grow women’s and girls’ football at FURD, including managing the organisation’s women’s team.

Yemisi Ebofin (UK) is the founder of Yemstars, a women-led community football club in Hackney in east London supporting girls of all abilities. Since launching the club in 2021, she has created accessible opportunities for girls to play, with several players progressing to professional academies and international pathways.