FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura visited Adelaide / Tarntanya Tuesday morning to speak at a Power of Her Symposium organised by the South Australian Government. The Symposium was held to help empower women and drive change for gender equality and representation. The event provided a platform for knowledge sharing, connected current and future leaders of all cultures, ages, gender and ability, and equipped attendees with practical tools, fresh perspective and inspiration.

As a notable gender equality champion and seasoned navigator of extraordinary change and challenges, Samoura was invited to have an intimate Q&A with host and media personality, Zan Rowe. The discussion touched on Samoura’s personal story from Senegal to Secretary General of FIFA, her experience of breaking down barriers in male-dominated industries and the global rise of women’s football – especially in the past four years. The growth of women’s football has been both on the pitch and off the pitch, with multiple records breaking during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ including attendance and broadcast numbers.

Participation is at its highest level ever with 188 out of a possible 211 nations in the FIFA women’s rankings, a growth of 28% in five years, while in the boardroom 40% of FIFA staff are women and 11 women head their respective Members Associations. Samoura attended the Symposium with Jane Fernandez, Chief Operating Officer Australia, FIFA Women's World Cup Australia New Zealand 2023™ and Andrea Price, Host City Relations Manager - Adelaide at FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand™. A multitude of sports stars and political change-makers including Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia, Hon. Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Women and Sport, Hon. Zoe Bettison, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, and Olympian and basketball legend, Lauren Jackson.

As well as Samoura’s Q&A, the Power of Her Symposium featured a dynamic combination of keynote presentations, panel discussions, engaging workshops and performances. “It was privilege to have the opportunity to speak in front of an audience who are so passionate about gender equality and representation,” said Samoura. “Being able to show the audience what we have done at FIFA to achieve positive change and outlining how we have done that will hopefully set an example of what can be achieved in any industry with a willingness to empower women. “Likewise, listening to all the incredible speakers and getting to meet so many women who are making a genuine difference in their communities was incredibly inspiring.”

Following the Symposium, Samoura visited the FIFA Fan Festival to watch Colombia v Jamaica before attending the France v Morocco match at Hindmarsh Stadium. Colombia and France secured their places in the Quarter Finals, locking in fixtures against England and Australia respectively.