Fatema Hayat: Government

Hayat earned an MS in The New School’s International Affairs program in 2015, with the goal of working in gender equity in sports following graduation. She chose The New School because of its reputation as a non-traditional and progressive institution and because the International Affairs program offered her the opportunity to focus her studies on project management. While at The New School, she learned how to organize and to work effectively and efficiently, skills she brought with her into her professional career. 

“One of the greatest things about The New School was how challenging and balanced the International Affairs program was,” Hayat says. “Certain professors were pragmatic and others theoretical. The faculty were always helpful and understanding. It was a fun yet challenging learning experience.” 

Following her graduation, Hayat consulted on and co-organized Kuwait’s first women’s Ramadan soccer tournament, an achievement that opened doors politically. She was appointed as a board member of Kuwait’s Olympic Committee, where she focused on developing a structure for women’s sports across the country. Soon after, she was contacted by the president of the Kuwait Football Association and encouraged to run for a seat.

Shortly after, Hayat became the first female sports elected official in Kuwait. Starting from scratch, she developed women’s national soccer teams in different age groups, established leagues, and trained and recruited female referees and coaches. Today Hayat works closely with the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). She applied for and received a $507,000 grant to implement programs. She also launched Kuwait's first national women’s soccer League, which kicked off in 2019. 

Equipped with skills and knowledge from her years at the New School, Hayat is now living her dream as she provides girls with an equal opportunity to play sports in Kuwait.