The Kick It (phase III) project takes place in Mopti, the central part of Mali, which is troubled with armed groups, terrorist attacks and intercommunity conflicts. Consequently, children – especially girls – are being deprived of their rights, and girls have fewer recreational opportunities for distraction, mainly due to social norms. There is a severe lack of sports facilities for the youth, especially girls, and women’s football is considered taboo. Especially in rural areas, girls are forced into a culture of silence and obedience during their childhood. There are several barriers to girls in these areas including the stigmatization of participation in sports, early marriage, lack of self-confidence, and household responsibilities.
To aid in achieving SDG 5, Gender Equality, and to work for girls’ and women’s empowerment, the project seeks to address issues related to access to education, gender stereotypes, harmful cultural practices, and their unpaid work.
Impact:
The women’s football project, Kick It, began its first phase in February 2018. The general feeling from previous phases has been that women’s football and the accompanying leadership training were highly appreciated by the beneficiary communities. It is said to have boosted the girls’ self-confidence, motivation, and it has increased their social integration. The social cohesion generated between girls and participants in the football matches also proves that the girls have gained a recreational space that frees their potential for participation. In its current phase, girls previously trained in life skills, leadership, and interpersonal communication will be introduced as coaches to new girls joining the women’s football teams.
Outcomes:
The Kick-It project’s overall objective is to promote girls’ rights to education and health through sports in an emergency context. To achieve this, it will be structured around three clusters of activities:
- Strengthening of space for expression of girls aged 12-17 through sports activities at school.
- Supporting the participation and commitment of girls aged 12-17 at community level.
- Strengthening social cohesion among girls around football in the beneficiary schools.
