On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, two players from the Spanish women’s national football team winner of the 2023 World Cup, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, address the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. Statement by Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, and Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

ceremony

International Women's Day (T)

International Women’s Day Celebration: Statement by Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, and Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75353831/1710236274656_I254454Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team, 'President Metsola, Members of the European Parliament, it's an honour for me to be here representing all of the members of the Spanish women's team. In addition, we're also here today not just representing our team but all of the female players, all of our team-mates and all of our friends, and all of these women whose passion is for sport and for football, and who struggle on a daily basis to realise their dreams. And we're here today of the heart of Europe in the European Parliament. As a result of the work done over the last few years, and because of the progress we've made. But we're not here to talk about the past. We're here to talk about the future.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team, We need to build a better future. A fairer, more equal, more solidarity based society. We need to do that through education, as has to be done with so many things. The education model what we use for our little boys and little girls is key importance. Europe on the European Union has always been at the forefront in defending equality, human rights, and education. And throughout the years, Europe has remoulded itself and has raised its voice in difficult moments when necessary, and has taken the decisions that is needed to.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, Through education I think we are, of course, facing a challenge but we also have allies, and I don't think it should be that difficult at the end of the day. We have a unique tool here, a tool that can change people, educate people, think in terms of equality, think in terms of justice. I'm quite convinced that, you know what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about sport. Sport which really educates us, which transform us, which inspires us.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, And I think that we have to give young girls around the globe references, role models that will serve to inspire them, that will motivate them, that will help them overcome difficult moments, whether it's personal or professional, move on, overcome these obstacles. We need to have female role models that will help us in our societies, whether we're talking about women or indeed men.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, I think we're on the right track but I need to emphasise that we need to be ambitious. We don't just want to be in a world where we have role models that are Cristiano Ronaldo or other men. We also need to have Alexia Putellas, Ada Hegerberg, Pernille Harder or Alexandra Popp. We need to have other role models, female role models. And let me tell you one thing, the next Alexia Putellas is out there somewhere. The next Aitana Bonmatí is also out there somewhere. And the next Diani is also out there somewhere. And all they want is to be given an opportunity. Let us give them that opportunity. Thank you.