Gender Soccer Matches: A Hook for Gender Equality

In Uganda, girls have limited opportunities to play sports. But WomenStrong partner Girl Up Initiative Uganda uses organized sports like soccer in its girls’ education and empowerment program to help girls build self-esteem, shift attitudes about gender among parents and schools, and level the playing field for girls.

“Let girls do sports because sports will help us break the barriers in education for girls and women.” 

Monica Nyiraguhabwa, Girl Up Initiative Uganda

This video from the Girl Up Initiative Uganda answers the question: can organized sports help achieve gender equality? The short video includes interviews with coaches, girls, and boys, who talk about the benefits of girls playing soccer. It dispels stereotypes about girls and sports — and presents an upbeat, empowering message about gender equality.

This video was produced as a learning product under the WomenStrong Girls’ Education and Empowerment Learning Lab.