We Don't All Have to Be Athletes to Be Great Women in Sports

By Loreto Fuenzalida

For many women, growing up without female sporting role models was the norm. In Chile, like in many countries in Latin America, this gap has been especially persistent. A 2018 UN Women survey found that many girls looked up to male footballers, while physical education reinforced gender divides—keeping girls away from traditionally male-dominated sports.

I was one of them. A career in sports never crossed my mind—until my father took me to the stadium, my brothers played with me despite being a "girl," and my mother raised me free from gender stereotypes. Today, as part of the GIZ Youth Ambassadors for Sport for Development (S4D), I connect my passion for gender equality with my work at the Chilean Ministry of Sport, driving policy change.

One key achievement? The Guide for the Prevention and Detection of Child Sexual Abuse in Sport—a groundbreaking tool that educates and builds support networks. Its impact reached three Ministries, placing it on the national agenda.

Women don’t have to be athletes to make a difference. We have powerful ideas, and it’s time to stand up for them—creating a safer, more inclusive future in sport.

The S4D Youth Ambassadors program brings together 24 young leaders across Latin America and more than one hundred worldwide. Through their initiatives, they empower their local communities in diverse and meaningful ways—proving that sport is more than just competition; it is a powerful tool for change.

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Find the guide here:

Ministerio del Deporte - Guía para la Prevención y Detección del Abuso Sexual Infantil en el Deporte