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“Girls have the potential to realize their dreams through sport.”
This belief drives Equal Play Effect Africa, a groundbreaking initiative working to create gender equity through sports.
As we celebrate International Day of the Girl, on October 11th, we are reminded of the global call to amplify the voices of girls to create a more inclusive world. Through sport, we help girls unlock their potential, and Equal Play Effect Africa is leading the way.
The newly released video, “Moving Africa - Gender Equality in and Through Sport”, demonstrates how this movement is transforming communities across the continent, empowering girls both on and off the pitch.
Equal Play Effect Africa is more than just a project—it’s a replicable, adaptable, and scalable solution designed to accelerate progress towards gender equality. Funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and led by Common Goal, Soccer Without Borders, and Moving the Goalposts, this movement seeks to drive change across organizations, on the sidelines, on the pitch, and in communities.
With more than 100 stakeholders, from over 45 organizations in 24 countries across the entire continent, we are making tremendous strides towards gender inclusivity. This initiative represents collective action at its finest, with the belief that, together, we create more inclusive, safe, and equitable spaces for all.
Regional Hubs Making a Global Impact
The Equal Play Effect Africa framework launched in the spring across four regional hubs in Africa, bringing together local expertise and community-based solutions to create meaningful change.
These hubs include:
- North Africa: led by Tibu Africa (based in Morocco)
- East Africa: led by SWB Uganda (based in Uganda)
- Southern Africa: led by Kick4Life (based in Lesotho)
- West Africa: led by Tackle (based in Côte d'Ivoire/Senegal)
Each hub is focused on implementing the core principles of Equal Play Effect—increasing participation of girls in football, fostering leadership opportunities, and driving systemic change. This flexible framework allows each region to adapt it to their unique needs and challenges, ensuring the movement's sustainability and growth.
SWB Uganda Leading the Charge in East Africa
As the lead organization for the East Africa hub, SWB Uganda is deeply involved in making this movement come to life. Our expertise in using soccer as a vehicle for positive change – creating education, leadership, and community-building opportunities – makes SWB well positioned to deliver meaningful outcomes through the Equal Play Effect.
In Uganda, SWB is implementing this initiative with a focus on creating safe spaces for girls, where they can freely participate in soccer, gain confidence, and develop leadership skills. These efforts align with SWB’s long-standing commitment to breaking down barriers to participation and ensuring that all youth – regardless of background, gender, or culture – have the opportunity to realize their full potential.
Be sure to follow our journey as we work alongside Common Goal, GIZ, and the incredible community organizations driving this movement across Africa. Together, we can create a future where gender equality in football is not just a vision, but a reality.
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