The Ajax women are national champions and that outstanding achievement deserves a public celebration, regardless of their gender. However, the board of Ajax decided that there would not be public celebration. Not honouring them reaffirms inequality in football, argue Jasmin Seijbel (History) and dr. Siri Driessen (Arts and Culture). In their opinion piece for de Volkskrant, Jasmin and Siri elaborate on the disappointing truth of the absence of tribute for the women of Ajax after winning the championship.
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Gender inequality in sports: the disappointing truth of the absence of tribute for the women of Ajax after winning the championship
For the first time in five years, the women of Ajax became national champions in May. Whereas the men of Ajax would have gotten a public celebration in Amsterdam if they won the championship, the women did not. The municipality of Amsterdam was in favour of celebrating their championship publicly, however the board of Ajax thought that the crowds would be too little, and that it wouldn’t be of substantial value.
Jasmin and Siri argue that the absence of a public celebration enforces sexist behaviour and sheds light on a deeper-rooted problem in inequality. As one the reasons for the absence of a public celebration is the fact that the men did not win the national championship, this notion basically states that the success of women can only be celebrated once the men succeed. Furthermore, they illustrate how female football is one of the most practiced team sports in the Netherlands, and how a public tribute would actually go against existing stereotypes and prejudices.
The full opinion piece can be read here, or via the download below (in Dutch).
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