Five things that happen when girls play sport
Sport is a powerful tool that can build girls up and strengthen communities.
But over a quarter of girls living in areas of high deprivation in the UK say they never take part in sporting activities. And if they do take part, by age 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys.*
Things need to change. Girls everywhere must feel included and empowered to take part in sports. Because the benefits can be life changing.
Here are five positive things that can happen when girls are encouraged to play sport.
1. Girls become more confident
“Sport is essential for raising self-esteem,” says 12-year-old Luana from Peru.
“My grandfather had doubts that girls could play football. But now my family have seen my talent, they want me to join the local football academy so I can continue developing my skills.”
Plan International’s Games for Equality project is working in Luana’s community to challenge the gender stereotypes that prevent girls from playing football and other sports.
“Soccer has become a way for me to share my concerns. We are learning how to manage our problems and I can talk to my coach and teammates about any issues I might have. Taking part [in football] has motivated and empowered me as a woman,” says Luana.
2. Girls learn about their rights
“Until I was in 4th grade, our school did not have any sports facilities. Back then, I didn’t know how, but I really wanted to play,” says Sreylen, 11, from Cambodia.
Now, thanks to Plan International’s Lifelong Learning programme, Sreylen’s school has a new volleyball court, a football pitch and basketball hoops. And Sreylen has been acing them all.
But it’s more than just a game. Through sport, girls like Sreylen can learn from an early age that they have the right to take part in activities that may be considered by their communities as more traditionally masculine.
“I don’t think volleyball is only for boys. That is why I play with both girls and boys as I think we all have different strengths and we all have the right to play,” says Sreylen, adding: “Girls are as good at playing sports as boys.”
3. Girls stand up to gender stereotypes
Alliance, 18, lives in a refugee community in Rwanda where women and girls face many barriers.
“I was drawn to karate as a form of self-protection and a way of defying the stereotypes in my community. ‘Why waste your time, it’s for boys’ is something that I often hear, but it just fuels my determination to keep going,” explains Alliance.
In Rwanda’s refugee camps, Plan International are delivering child protection initiatives. One of the safe spaces provided is Alliance’s karate club, where she’s learnt to punch back.
“I refuse to be deterred by society’s expectations. Taking part in karate competitions enables me to learn new fighting techniques and skills, even from my male competitors. I have also made many new friends as well. The medals that I win reinforce my belief that I deserve respect, and motivates me to keep pushing harder to become successful,” says Alliance.
“Karate has helped me discover a sense of self-confidence, discipline and focus in my life.” she adds.
4. Girls can change their futures
“I want to become a professional cyclist,” says Olivia, 20 from Rwanda.
Orphaned at 14, Olivia was left to care for her four younger siblings. Then she became a mother herself at 15:
“I had to drop out of school to take care of the baby, I didn’t know what kind of future we would have,” she shares.
Olivia found a lifeline after joining the Bike for Future project. Supported by Plan International, it uses sport as a lever for girls’ education and access to employment – and it transformed Olivia’s future.
Today, Olivia is training to be a bicycle mechanic: “This has given me the belief that I am capable of achieving my future goals. It equips me with the tools to build a better future for myself and my family. I have a new sense of purpose and hope.”
“Cycling has united us and provided us with a sense of belonging,” adds Olivia’s younger sister, Joyce.
5. Girls change attitudes in their communities (for the better!)
"I fight for the rights of girls who are quitting school due to being forced into marriage at a young age or who have been raped as a minor," says 18-year-old Eunice from Mozambique.
After taking part in Plan International’s Champions of Change programme, Eunice set up her own activist group where she shares what she learned with other young people. Eunice is also a member of a local girls’ football team.
“Together we’re combining two activities: social activism, and girls’ sports. In our community, football used to be regarded as a boys’ sport. The all-girl team has given us confidence. We work together and learn to be a good team,” she says.
“Some young people are sceptical about our ability to change things, and some of our elders get angry because they think the values we teach are wrong. However, we have not given up. Our group has become widely known, and people have started contacting us when they hear about a planned child marriage.”
Eunice and her group have so far managed to prevent 15 child marriages and support around 100 pregnant girls to continue their school studies.
*Source: UN Women
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