News
WOMEN IN FOOTBALL UNITE WITH UK BROADCASTERS TO CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT WOMEN #TODAYANDEVERYDAY
7 March 2025
To mark International Women's Day 2025 Women in Football has joined forces with leading UK broadcasters and production companies to share content that recognises and celebrates the work of women in the industry all year round – using the hashtag #TodayAndEveryDay.
In January 2024 Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison, sent a letter to a combination of major football stakeholders and broadcasters, kickstarting the creation of a new working group that would tackle gender inequality in football media head on.
“This is a moment when women working in football need to be reminded of their value and merit. It goes without saying that as a trusted colleague and partner of Women in Football (WIF), you value their contribution to your organisation and to the wider game. But this is perhaps also a time when the game’s leaders should think about reiterating this message, not least among their own staff.”
The above excerpt from this letter came as a direct response from Women in Football who wrote to parliamentarians in early January 2024 after a series of vicious attacks on named individual female broadcasters. Women in Football exists to create a stronger, brighter and more diverse future for football, so later that month, the organisation called upon the help of its legal partner Mishcon de Reya to gather evidence of online abuse particularly targeted towards women in the media.
To support women in the industry who may have been affected, WIF hosted a round table event for its members. Later the organisation was invited to attend a government round table alongside Eniola Aluko, social media platform representatives, broadcasters, the PFA and Kick it Out. Conversations were also held with Ofcom, offering supportive input to develop guidance relating to the protection of people online.
Catalyst for change
The initial meeting in April 2024 addressed the growth in online abuse directed at female football pundits. Organisations taking part and pledging to tackle online abuse included ITV, Channel 4, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Premier League Productions, and talkSPORT.
This trend and the language used were referenced by the then Sports Minister Stuart Andrew MP in the House of Commons as “dangerous” after Women in Football wrote to him at the start of 2024, and to Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee. The impact was widespread as many other women working in the industry, including members of the 11,000-strong Women in Football membership community, flagged that they had been negatively impacted. As a result, the cross-broadcaster working group has initially focused on three core objectives:
-
to improve access and opportunity in the football industry
-
to normalise women working in the industry and celebrate positive trends.
-
to tackle growing issues impacting women working in the industry.
Underlining the importance of such a diverse group of stakeholders working together, Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison who chairs the group said: “We are doing something never done before. These broadcasters have come together and continued to find new ways to show support for women in the industry. I am incredibly proud of the leadership we have shown to convene this incredible group, and I cannot thank them enough for their support.”
The group is currently developing a strategy for how the industry can respond as one voice in the event of future social media abuse targeting one of its female contingent.
Cause for celebration
Together with additional Women in Football industry partners, the group united around International Women’s Day on 8 March. By developing and sharing a range of content that showcases women working in the game alongside its stars and fans with the unifying hashtag #TodayAndEveryDay – a reprise of Women in Football’s 2024’s theme – individual organisations showcased the huge variety of roles performed by women in the sport all year round.
On 26 March at Wembley Stadium, Women in Football’s flagship Be Inspired Conference in partnership with Barclays will also feature a broadcaster panel discussion to continue the conversation and address future actions.
Looking ahead, Women in Football Chair Ebru Köksal said: “Women in Football is seen as a credible, representative voice for women working in the industry, and we want to ensure that we continue to be approached for input as different conversations evolve.
“Collaborating with multiple partners, we will not only benefit women working in football, but women in sport more broadly. As our #TodayAndEveryDay message so perfectly summarised: You may not always see us. But we’re there. We always were, and we always will be.”
What our broadcast partners say
Channel 4 Head of Sport Pete Andrews said: Channel 4 supports the Women in Football initiative to create opportunities, parity and inclusion for the incredibly talented women already working in, or seeking to have opportunities within football, and wider within sport. Channel 4 consistently works with female presenters, pundits and commentators across all of our sports output, and we value the opportunity to work with other broadcasters to continue to drive change."
Sarah Nurse, ITV Sport Editor, said: "We are incredibly proud to be supporters of Women in Football here at ITV. Women play a vital role behind the scenes and in front of the camera across all of our sporting coverage. ITV is the home of the Lionesses and in a year where we will broadcast the UEFA Women's Euros free-to-air, ITV will continue to highlight women's sporting achievements and offer extensive coverage of the women's game for the nation and beyond."
Scott Young, Group SVP of Production, Content and Operations WBD Sports Europe said: “As a sport broadcaster and an employer we are responsible for supporting and championing women in football whether that is on the field, on screen or within the broadcast industry. We are extremely proud to be working together with the broadcast and football industry to reinforce the message that women are very welcome and to celebrate everything that they bring to football on International Women’s Day.”
Liam Fisher, Head of talkSPORT said: “This is a timely initiative from Women in Football and is something to be championed - not just on International Women's Day, but every day. talkSPORT is proud to join the campaign and I'm delighted that we'll be premiering some dedicated content on the day."
Steve Smith, Executive Director of Content at Sky Sports, said: "Football should be a space where talent thrives, regardless of gender. At Sky Sports, we’re committed to amplifying the voices of women in the industry and driving meaningful change. Partnering with Women in Football and working alongside other broadcasters allows us to take collective action to create a more welcoming, inclusive, and respectful football community - one where everyone has the opportunity to succeed."
Celebrating women #TodayAndEveryDay
AP Media: French soccer makes special matchday jerseys to mark International Women’s Day
Arsenal FC: Celebrating International Women's Day
Aston Villa FC: Happy International Women’s Day
BHAFC: Albion celebrate International Women's Day 2025
Brentford FC: Celebrating International Women's Day 2025
Burnley FC: Female staff come together to design women's range
Chris Ward MP: Hopes for a stadium designed for women’s football
Crystal Palce FC: Celebrating the photographers of the future
EFL: Emma Oldfield meets Leeds Head of Nutrition Elise McVicar to discuss her role at the Club!
EFL: Former PNE Ladies player revels in retirement thanks to walking football
EFL: Juliana Preugschat has worked at Rovers since the 1980s - this is her story!
England Football: Biggest Ever Football Session set to return
Everton FC: We marked this key date with a special event at the Royal Liver Building
FIFPRO: Mary Earps on International Women’s Day
The FA: An all-female set of guests discuss their faith and football in the latest episode
The FA: Chair Debbie Hewitt MBE speaks at events ahead of International Women's Day 2025
FAW: Women & Girls Conference 2025: Accelerate Action
Fulham FC: Female pupils visit Craven Cottage for International Women's Day
Jill Scott: Emerging Talent Centres enable girls to fulfil their dreams
Lionesses: Why we need to stop hiding our periods
Manchester City FC: Manchester City Women compete in International Women’s Day Quiz
Manchester City FC: The inspiring stories behind City's new recruits
Milwall FC: Marks International Women's Day
Natalie Aspinall: It's special to be pushing boundaries
Newcastle United FC: Creates mentorship programme for female employees and community projects
Nottingham Forest FC: We’re proud to support our official women’s supporters' group, Garibaldi Girls
Oxford City FC: Aliyah Anthony Previews International Women's Day
PFA: FUTURE MANAGERS? | UEFA A coaching with Miedema, Mead, Mušović & Little
PFA: Opening teaser, Viv Miedema, Kim Little, Beth Mead, Zecira Musovic
PGMOL: Natalie Aspinall 'from grassroots games to the world stage'
Premier League: It's an honour to have our shirts displayed at the National Football Museum
SheKicks: Women in Football joins forces with major UK broadcasters
Sky Sports: Joins UK broadcasters and Women in Football to celebrate women in sport
Sodexo Live!: Champion the incredible women across our business
Stoke City FC: Stage celebration event ahead of International Women's Day
Sue Day: Women’s football has the power to change the world
Sue Smith: It's huge to see Premier League involved in girls' football
SWPL: SPFL United | International Women's Day 2025
TNT Sports: Thank you to the women who change the game
Tongue Tied Management: We are proud to work with these incredible women
UCFB: Celebrates International Women’s Day 2025
UEFA: Sarina Wiegman on the evolution of women's football
WBD Sports: Interview with TNT Sports senior production manager Umo Glover for IWD 2025
West Ham United FC: Rooted In | International Women’s Day
Wolves: International Women’s Day at Compton Park
Share this article
We are doing something never done before. These broadcasters have come together and continued to find new ways to show support for women in the industry"
Yvonne Harrison
CEO, Women in Football