International Red Card to Machism in Spain! Economic and Tourism Repercussions
Chairman LUXONOMY™ Group
The gender equality is a key issue in our current society, and its relationship with the economy is deeper than many might think. The recent incident of macho behavior by an executive of the Spanish Football Federation towards a national team player after winning the FIFA World Cup final is not only a direct blow to efforts to promote gender equality, but also has significant repercussions on the country's image and economy. The national and international impact on the behavior of the RFEF president has generated more than 3,300 articles in national and international press media. The criticisms have spread internationally, no one thinks he acted well at the time, both in the kiss, in the box, or carrying a player like a sack objectifying her behavior, but also in the way of apologizing nor in the public statements like the ones he made.
Repercussions on the country's image
The international reputation of a country is of utmost importance in today's globalized world. A country that is seen as socially advanced, respectful of human rights and committed to gender equality is more attractive for tourism, foreign investment, and international collaborations. Therefore, an incident of machismo of such magnitude, particularly in a globally followed event like the FIFA World Cup, projects a negative and outdated image of the country. At a time when gender equality is at the forefront of the global agenda, this incident has already generated condemnations from the international community, including human rights organizations and feminist groups. This may result in significant pressure for the country to take corrective measures, including sanctions to the executive involved and gender equality training programs for the football federation staff. Additionally, the incident may also have a negative impact on the perception of society in general towards women in sports. Football is one of the most popular and followed sports worldwide, and as such, it plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality. Macho attitudes from authority figures in football can perpetuate gender stereotypes and discourage young women from participating in this sport.
Repercussions on the economy
The economic impact of this incident should not be underestimated. Gender equality is a key factor for economic growth. According to a report from the McKinsey Global Institute, closing the gender gap in labor participation could increase global GDP by $12 trillion by 2025. In this context, macho attitudes in influential sectors like sports can have a domino effect on the economy in general, discouraging women's participation in the workforce and limiting their contribution to economic growth. Football, in particular, is a multimillion-dollar industry that generates significant revenue through sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and merchandising. An incident of this nature may lead sponsors and business partners to reconsider their association with the football federation, which would have a direct economic impact. Additionally, the damage to the country's reputation could make it less attractive to foreign investors, which could have a long-term negative impact on the economy.
Repercussions on Tourism
The tourism may also be affected by this incident. International sporting events, like the FIFA World Cup, are an opportunity to project a positive image of the country. An incident of machismo in an event of such magnitude may discourage future visitors and negatively affect the country's tourism industry.
The tourists in Spain mainly come from the United Kingdom, 21.10%, France, 14.09%, and Germany, 13.63%.
In the United Kingdom, where the controversy has been followed with great interest, among other reasons, because England was Spain's rival in the World Cup final, the words of the RFEF president are on all the news. For the BBC, it is the sixth most important news of the day, behind the assassination of Wagner leader Evgeni Prigozhin, but ahead of, for example, the photo of Donald Trump in a Georgia prison.
In France, the prestigious sports newspaper 'L'Equipe' features Rubiales prominently on its front page and highlights that the Federation president spoke of "false feminism" and "social murder". Le Monde, Le Parisien, Le Figaro, and Liberation also leave spaces on their front pages for the "forced kiss".
In Germany, the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung points out that female athletes are not objects at the mercy of powerful leaders and raises: "The attitude of the head of the Spanish Football Federation must be sanctioned (...). And this case also proves something else: women's bodies are still seen as commodities by some men. Whoever sees Rubiales' actions can interpret them as if for him the players were a piece of meat, which the president (of the federation) can freely dispose of. But footballers are not bags of cement or loose potatoes". Moreover, as this incident has brought international attention to the issue of gender inequality in Spain, it may lead tourists to reconsider their choice of destination. This could result in a decrease in the number of tourists visiting the country, which would have a negative economic impact, considering that tourism represents a significant portion of the GDP in many countries, including Spain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent incident of machismo by a top executive of the Spanish Football Federation has far-reaching repercussions on the country's image, economy, and society in general. It not only sends a negative message about gender equality, but it also may have a significant economic impact, including a decrease in foreign investment, a reduction in sponsorships, and a decline in tourism. Therefore, it is crucial that the government and the football federation take corrective measures to address this issue and promote gender equality in all sectors of society.
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