On December 16th, 2020, Fatma Samoura announced that she would be stepping down from her role as FIFA’s first female Secretary General after seven years in the position. Samoura was appointed to the role in 2016 and has since made a lasting impact on the organization.
Samoura’s appointment to the role of Secretary General was a historic moment for FIFA, as she was the first woman to ever hold the position. She was also the first African to be appointed to the role. During her time as Secretary General, Samoura worked to improve FIFA’s governance and transparency, as well as its financial stability.
Samoura also worked to promote gender equality within FIFA. She established the FIFA Women’s Football Development Program, which has provided funding and support for women’s football initiatives around the world. She also worked to increase the number of women in leadership positions within FIFA, and encouraged the organization to take a more active role in promoting gender equality in football.
In addition to her work for FIFA, Samoura also served as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals. In this role, she worked to promote the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and raise awareness about their importance.
Samoura’s tenure as FIFA’s Secretary General has been widely praised. She has been credited with helping to bring stability and transparency to the organization, as well as promoting gender equality in football. Her work has been instrumental in helping FIFA become a more modern and progressive organization.
As she steps down from her role as Secretary General, Samoura leaves behind a legacy of progress and reform at FIFA. Her appointment and subsequent work have paved the way for more women to take on leadership roles within the organization, and her commitment to promoting gender equality in football will continue to have a lasting impact.
