Ons Jabeur: Tunisian tennis star on International Women’s Day hopes

As Ons Jabeur continues her quest for further sporting success, there’s more on the Tunisian star’s mind than just tennis.

Her appointment in 2024 as an ambassador for the World Food Programme (WFP) has given the three-time Grand Slam finalist a chance “to do some good”, particularly in the empowerment of women.

“I wanted to be able to use my platform and represent the woman I am and where I come from, to try to make a change in the world,” Jabeur told BBC Sport Africa before International Women’s Day, which is on Saturday.

While highlighting global food insecurity is part of her work with the WFP, the 30-year-old says the focus on women is also key.

“People think it [the WFP] is only related to food, but it’s also education and helping women.

“When you help women, they get the opportunity to work and provide for the whole family, and that’s really important.”

One of Jabeur’s first assignments was attending projects in Cairo where she saw first-hand how women were trying to improve their lives.

“I was preparing bread with one of the women and you have no idea the big heart that they have,” she said.

“She almost gave me everything that she made, and I was like, ‘No, please, you keep it. You have to sell it!’

“Even though they don’t have enough, they were very generous and that is what everyone should stand for.”

Education in vulnerable areas is another important issue for Jabeur.

“A woman went to school at a late age. I told her she was very courageous and very proud that she’s going with her kid to school, because she never had education before. That was really a great example,” said Jabeur.