UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador Eda Erdem
A professional volleyball player and one of the most respected figures in Turkish sports, Eda Erdem is widely known as the captain of Türkiye’s national women’s volleyball team. Designated as a UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador in October 2025, she brings to the role not only her status as the long-time captain of Türkiye’s national women’s volleyball team, but also a deep commitment to advancing gender equality and challenging societal norms.
Photo: UN Women/Dilan Bozyel
With a career spanning nearly two decades, she has become a role model for generations of young women both on and off the court. She uses the power of sport to promote gender equality and inspire girls to take their place at every decision-making table. She is committed to breaking gender stereotypes and advancing women’s leadership and equal participation in decision-making roles in sports and beyond.
Born on June 22, 1987, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Erdem has established herself as one of volleyball's most decorated players. With a career defined by excellence, integrity, and leadership, Erdem has broken barriers and inspired young generations. Named among the top 100 volleyball players in history by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), she has led Türkiye's national team to unprecedented success, including championships in the 2023 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, European Women's Volleyball Championship, and Volleyball World Cup.
Most recently, she won silver with the National Team at the World Championship and was named “Best Middle Blocker,” marking yet another milestone in Türkiye’s volleyball history. She made history as the first Turkish female volleyball player to compete in three different Olympic Games, helping her team achieve fourth place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
At club level, Erdem has won numerous championships with Fenerbahçe Sports Club, including the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball (CEV) Women's Champions League and FIVB Women's Club World Championship.
Erdem supports UN Women's initiatives in part by participating in awareness-raising campaigns that showcase female athletes as powerful agents of change. She brings her experience as the Chair of the Türkiye Olympic Committee (TOC) Athletes' Commission (elected in 2022) to amplify the voices of women in sports governance, focusing on areas such as athlete career transitions and individual athlete development to create direct impact.
Erdem was officially nominated for the "International Women of Courage" award by the U.S. Department of State in 2024 and was honoured with a statue at Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saraçoğlu Stadium on March 8, 2024, recognizing her influence beyond sports achievements.
As UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador, Eda Erdem champions the power of leadership and advocates for women and girls in all areas of life, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.