Rights-based constitutionalism and gender justice in Colombian women's soccer

This article queries whether domestic rights protection systems offer the necessary opportunities for women soccer players to obtain improved conditions through courts. Zooming in on the Colombian Constitutional Court jurisprudence, the article evaluates the potential benefits that rights-based constitutionalism can bring to those who fight for gender equality in the practice of football. Our assessment concludes that there are compelling opportunities, but they come with significant challenges. As for opportunities, we highlight the active role of the Constitutional Court in the protection of rights. On the other hand, the main challenges call for strengthening the nascent social movement that supports women's demands in soccer and diversifying the avenues for vindicating rights. Activists could achieve better opportunities for justice by combining constitutional litigation with other forms of mobilization.