Paula Ojeda, the new AFA manager: “I think I’m back at work in a world as macho as football”

“I think I have to work a world as macho as football“, said Paula Ojeda, new manager of the Equity and Gender Department of the Argentine Football Association (AFA).

Ojeda, yes She is a lawyer who specializes in sexual violence and sexual abuse., was a pioneer in creating the first gender department in a football club. He did it in Vélez in 2018. “I’m a gender specialist and a fan of Vélez, so I joined my two passions and combined that department,” he said. Clarion.

-Why do you think the AFA gave you this position?

-For the work I do in sports in general and in football in particular. Vélez was the first club to have a gender department thanks to my project, which I proposed because I am a lawyer who specializes in sexual violence and it is clear to me that clubs play a very important role in society. Gender violence in our country is very intense. Every day a woman dies at the hands of her partner, and that has to end.

-From your experience with Vélez, do you see progress?

Yes, there is progress. People change appearance with respect to these situations. There are already 18 clubs with a gender department. And one of the tasks I will do is advance that all clubs have a gender department, as well as anti -violence protocols and training, which are key tools to raise awareness on gender issues. We need to provide tools to learn how to act in the face of a complaint, a situation of harassment, abuse, and above all, prevention goals to end these situations of violence.

-What do you think Boca’s attitude towards Sebastián Villa? (N. de la R. The player faces a trial with an ex -partner who denounced him for violence and another woman denounced him for rape and attempted suicide)

-I do not agree with the club’s decision to continue playing. One of the reasons my job is to raise awareness on these issues. Players are part of society and responsible. We need to continue practicing these things so that they are aware, take actions so that people realize what it means and soccer should be a sport that can and should be free of violence.

-You are a lawyer, can a criticized player continue to play as if nothing had happened?

-If there is an accusation of sexual violence, the institution must separate him and not leave him in court until the judicial situation is resolved. Girls, boys and young people cannot articulate the intentions of those who have been criticized. Club managers do not set a good example. Although clubs have autonomy in their decisions, they should carefully consider them.

-Juan Román Riquelme (vice president and sports director of Boca) said that club directors are not judges …

-The club must separate the Villa. Clubs are not justice, but if there is an accusation, it is important for the management to separate the player to see the victim’s companion and be an example.

-Boca is one of the clubs with a Gender Department. Do these departments have decision -making power?

-Political and institutional decisions are beyond the decisions of gender departments. My coming to AFA is to strengthen those departments, give them more power.

– Do you think the gender departments of clubs are pink washI mean, concentrated marketing?

-Yes, there are institutions that are committed but there are others that are not, in fact, gender is all about marketing. My job is to strengthen these areas, that they have more real power.

– Is there real interest from the AFA for this to happen?

-The president, Claudio Tapia, told me that he wanted me to work to strengthen this issue in the AFA and in all clubs.

-What do you think is Diego Guacci’s situation? (N. de la R. He was denounced for sexual harassment and psychological violence by five players, but FIFA acquitted him)

-I have read the full report and I do not agree with FIFA’s resolution. This can no longer happen. The idea is that players can have the tools to denounce in front of justice and clubs.

-Guacci manages women’s football for Defense and Justice. Do you think with all the complaints against him, he can continue to contact the players?

-This man cannot manage the women’s soccer department of the club, we will recommend that he be separated from the club.

-On Monday a mobilization was announced in the AFA to protest.

-Yes I know. all right. We would recommend that Guacci no longer be in that position.

– Do you think football can change in relation to these issues?

-Yes, I am optimistic and I want to fight it all. It will be 50 years old I am, with a long journey, experience, I am a lawyer who specializes in sexual violence and abuse. Young women and women do not have to suffer what we all go through.

-Is the time for the end of machismo in football?

Yes, the time has come for football. Everything will be slow, every step will certainly be slow, but it will be steady and certain steps.

-In battles you keep hearing insults, xenophobic, sexist songs, and the courts are full of men and women, these are horrible examples. How do you end all that?

-It is related to the rules that each club takes. If you isolate a player like Villa or anyone binasted, you will show the example of the rules you want for your club. That’s one of the tools to show that we need change. And of course we need stands without violence, xenophobic and sexist chants must be sanctioned but we must find a way around it because sometimes a club is not a fair sanction because of the people in the field. I think it is best to work on these issues within institutions, we should also offer training for partners. Change must be cultural. And of course, give conversations to men and women. ESI (Comprehensive Sexual Education) is important not only for them to know their rights and nothing happens to them at the club, but also for them to see the abuses they may be experiencing at home.