As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the European Judo Union proudly shines a spotlight on two remarkable women leading the charge in sport, Mrs Catarina Rodrigues and in education, Ms Kristiina Pekkola, both serving as EJU Vice Presidents. Their journeys, dedication and vision are not only shaping the future of judo but also inspiring a new generation of female judoka. In a joint interview, they shared their insights on acquiescence, progress and the way forward for women in sport.
Judo as a Catalyst for Empowerment
For Ms Pekkola, judo is far more than a sport; it is a powerful tool for empowerment. She highlights how the discipline instills both physical strength and mental resilience. “Judo empowers women and girls; it builds physical strength and mental toughness, fostering confidence and self-esteem. The principles of judo, such as using an opponent’s strength against them, teach strategic thinking and adaptability, which are valuable life skills,” – she explains.
Mrs Rodrigues echoes this sentiment, emphasising the lifelong values that judo imparts. She advises to seek out a supportive club and strong mentors, as the sense of belonging and guidance play a crucial role in personal and athletic growth. “Judo will teach you important values and provide you with opportunities that will stay with you forever, helping you grow as a person as well,” – she begins.
Shifting Perceptions and Breaking Stereotypes
The landscape of women in martial arts is evolving and both leaders recognise the positive transformation. Ms Pekkola notes that the increasing participation and recognition of women in judo are gradually dismantling gender stereotypes. “More women are participating in martial arts and their achievements are gaining recognition. This shift is breaking down gender stereotypes and promoting equality. Women are increasingly seen as strong, capable athletes and their presence in martial arts is inspiring more girls to take up the sport,” – states Ms Pekkola.
Mrs Rodrigues acknowledges that while many regions are accustomed to seeing women in martial arts, global perceptions still vary. Mrs Rodrigues further explains, “In my experience, people are generally accustomed to seeing women participate in martial arts and other combat sports. However, I recognise that this perception may vary significantly in other parts of the world, based on several factors, including cultural traditions.”
Driving Change in the Sports Industry
Despite the strides made, both leaders acknowledge the gender gap in leadership roles within the sports industry. Mrs Rodrigues points to disparities in coaching and officials, “The numbers are alarming when we consider women coaches and officials. In the Paris Olympics, women held fewer than 15% of these positions. Our goal is to reduce this shocking gap,” – she states. “Continuing investment is crucial if we want to achieve true gender equality in sport.”
“Although the two highest officials in the EJU sports sector are women, myself as Vice-President and Urska Zolnir Jugovar as Head Sport Director, women are still clearly underrepresented in our commissions too, even though we have highly qualified female representatives in the Sports, Coaches and Athletes Commissions. It will take a collective effort to make substantial changes but every small step is valuable. We will keep focused on identifying experienced female members who can contribute with valuable expertise to our teams. In my view, one of our priorities for this four-year period should also be to draw on the expertise of our Human Rights Commissioners and to implement long-term programmes under their guidance.” – adds Mrs Rodrigues.
Meanwhile, Ms Pekkola also outlines key steps to support women in judo:
- Greater funding and resources for female judo programs.
- Increased visibility of female coaches, referees and role models.
- Work-life balance policies, such as parental leave for athletes and coaches.
- Career development pathways, ensuring opportunities beyond an athlete’s competitive years.
“We need to increase possibilities for how we can enable and create career pathways for women in judo, both during and after an athlete’s career,” – Ms Pekkola adds.
A Message to Young Girls in Judo
In addition to judo, a number of other sports tend to lose female participants during the teenage years. This phenomenon can be attributed to a lack of tangible results, puberty and, in some cases, a lack of confidence in body image and appearance, which is a challenge that must be overcome in order to keep female participants motivated and to demonstrate that there are opportunities for women in judo beyond the podium. For young girls who want to step onto the judo mat or who are looking for alternative ways to succeed in the sport, Ms Pekkola shares an inspiring message: “It takes courage to succeed! Whether you are stepping onto the judo mat for the first time or aiming for a leadership position, bravery is essential. Believe in yourself, embrace challenges and don’t be afraid to take risks. Your courage will pave the way for your achievements and inspire others to follow in your footsteps.”
She also advises:
- “Get used to being confident. Believe in your abilities and don’t be afraid to try new things.”
- “Stay committed: Judo, as well as everything else, requires dedication and practice, so keep going even when it gets tough.”
- “Find a supportive community: Surround yourself with people who encourage, support, and motivate you.”
- “Have fun: Enjoy the journey and celebrate your progress.”
Mrs Rodrigues adds to the praise, stressing that dedication and patience are indeed essential; “Trust the process, work hard and stay true to your principles. I firmly believe that opportunities will increasingly arise for those who consistently do the right thing and prove themselves to be among the best in their field. There are already good examples of women in judo leadership positions, such as Presidents of National Federations, President of Continental Union, and the IJF Secretary General as well as Executive Committee members. These powerful women have paved the way and created a legacy, demonstrating that steady progress can lead to the top. Take the opportunities that come your way, do not be afraid and never doubt your abilities. You belong there!“
EJU’s Commitment to Gender Equality
The EJU has taken significant steps towards gender balance and both Vice Presidents are committed to pushing for further progress. Some of the key initiatives and ongoing projects include:
- Women Judo Network, fostering female participation at all levels.
- Judo Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th to highlight women’s contributions.
- Increased female leadership: for the first time in its history, the EJU has two female Vice-Presidents, with Mrs Rodrigues and Ms Pekkola laying the foundation.
- From 2025, to encourage National Federations to promote gender equality, the EJU’s National Federation Support Programme requires all federations to have a balanced representation of both genders on their athletes list in order to receive maximum funding.
A Lasting Legacy
Both leaders are determined to leave a legacy of equality, opportunity and aspiration. Ms Pekkola desires to be remembered for advocating human rights, safeguarding children and championing gender equality in judo. “I hope my legacy in women’s judo will be one of empowerment and progress. By fostering a supportive environment and advocating for equal representation, I want to inspire future generations of both male and female judoka to pursue their passions and excel in the sport,” – she says.
Through her own personal journey, Mrs Rodrigues has a compelling message; “I believe in leading by example, working hard and trying to leave the judo world a slightly better and more equal place than I found it. I have had the opportunity to hold several positions within the EJU, such as Sport Director, Head Sport Director and Vice President for Sport, which broke new ground for women. While this happened by simply being focused on doing my job to the best of my ability, the fact that I was the first woman in these roles was often highlighted. Still, this was never a goal of mine or an achievement I sought to conquer, it happened naturally. However, it made me aware that the situation itself was unique and now I make it my personal duty to motivate female judoka to pursue their dreams towards leading roles off the mat. It is important to normalise the presence of women in these leadership positions, so that high-level officiating, top refereeing and head coaching positions feel like natural career goals for our girls and women, rather than distant dreams.”
The Future is Female
As we mark International Women’s Day, the journeys of EJU Vice Presidents, Mrs Rodrigues and Ms Pekkola remind us of the power of perseverance, ambition and unity. Their leadership is shaping a future where women in judo thrive, not just as athletes but as decision-makers, mentors and pioneers. Their message is clear: dream big, take every opportunity and never doubt your place in the sport. The future of judo is bright, inclusive and increasingly led by strong, inspiring women.
Happy International Women’s Day!
Author: Szandra Szogedi