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Since 2012, October 11th has been recognized as the International Day of the Girl. This year Soccer Without Borders programs joined girls and young women across the world to celebrate through special events, coaching workshops, and more.
Kampala, Uganda
SWB collaborated with women and girls across the country to grow the game of football for ourselves, our peers, and our communities. Along with streetfootballworld, the German Federal Foreign Office, and former professional players-turned-coaches Petra Landers and Magidah Nantanda, SWB hosted the second annual Women Take the Lead conference at Lake Bunyonyi from October 7-11. Building upon the success of last year's workshops, the SWB team increased the number of female coaches and organizations participating in 2019 bringing together 40 young women and 9 organizations from Kampala, Wakiso, Busia, Kabale, Hoima, and Arua.
Throughout the week coaches took part in both on and off field workshops focused on inclusive coaching, restorative practices, eliminating barriers to participation in sport, and more! Now as coaches return home, each will integrate these concepts into their sessions with local teams reaching an estimated 500 additional youth. The project will culminate with 5 one-day football galas that incorporate specific rules regarding fair play and gender inclusion.
Granada, Nicaragua Fútbol Sin Fronteras hosted a week of special events with participants, families, and the community in honor of Day of the Girl. The week began with a presentation of traditional dances on Santa Lucia street and culminated with the running of the 'Carrera de la Niña' through the streets of Granada. With support from local volunteers and businesses, this fourth annual road race included 5 age-based categories and distances enabling more than 160 girls to take part. This year, girls from FSF's central program and La Villa expansion program were joined by participants of FSF's newest satellite sites in La Laguna, Fortín, and Diamante.
Boston MA, USA
The middle school girls team and Girls Club recognized the day by reading and posting their version of the Girl Declaration, a document first published by the Girl Effect in 2013. With this reading SWB players united their voices with those of girls worldwide. In addition to filming their video, the team took part in discussions and reflections focused on every day challenges felt by girls in their own communities and beyond.
Learn more about Soccer Without Borders and support our efforts to get more girls in the game here: https://www.soccerwithoutborders.org/girlsinthegame
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