THIS WEEK, MILLIONS of football fans around the globe will welcome the start of the men’s Fifa World Cup. Stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico will fill with excited supporters, while in Ireland, despite our absence from the tournament, football fever will inevitably kick in.

Sport has an extraordinary power to bring people together. It creates shared moments of joy, pride and connection. It inspires young and old alike and gives us memories that last a lifetime.

Those of us a certain age still cherish the memories of Italia ’90, when an underdog Irish team captured the imagination of the nation and reached the World Cup quarter-finals. The country was swept away by a joyous and highly infectious soccer fever, creating moments that have become part of our national folklore.

But there is a darker reality that often accompanies major sporting events, one that receives far less attention than the action on the pitch. For thousands of women, they can bring fear and intimidation, rather than celebration.

Violence against women is a global pandemic. One in three women worldwide has experienced gender-based violence, with every single country affected. It remains one of the world’s most widespread human rights violations, often hidden behind closed doors. And ignored by society.

Research indicates increases in domestic abuse during major football tournaments. Football itself is not the cause, and most supporters celebrate responsibly and peacefully. However, large sporting events can intensify existing patterns of........

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