Innovative Partnership Tackles Violence Against Girls and Women Through Football

Strategic Insights -

A groundbreaking new initiative has been launched to address issues of violence against girls and women in Western Kenya, harnessing the power of football to drive positive change. The partnership, spearheaded by the Department for International Development (DfID), the Premier League, and the British Council, aims to train 47 Kenyan female and male football instructors and referees in grassroots football activities, with a focus on tackling harmful social attitudes that contribute to high levels of violence against girls and women. The program will run in Mount Elgon, where alarming rates of violence against women have been reported, with 45% of women experiencing violence since the age of 15 and over a quarter within the last year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The program aims to train 47 Kenyan female and male football instructors and referees in grassroots football activities.
  • The partnership involves the Department for International Development, the Premier League, and the British Council.
  • The program will focus on tackling harmful social attitudes that contribute to high levels of violence against girls and women.
  • 45% of women in Mount Elgon have experienced violence since the age of 15, and over a quarter have experienced violence in the last year.
  • Participation in sport is identified as a powerful tool for addressing gender inequality.
  • The Premier League has engaged over 150,000 girls in their programs in the past year, and is committed to increasing this number globally.
  • The British Council has a strong track record of delivering community development programs globally, and will work with the Premier League and DfID to deliver the program.

Statistics:

  • 45% of women in Mount Elgon have experienced violence since the age of 15.
  • Over a quarter of women in Mount Elgon have experienced violence in the last year.
  • Over 150,000 girls have been engaged in the Premier League's programs in the past year.
  • The Premier Skills program operates in 25 countries globally, providing training for young people in football coaching and refereeing.
  • 29 countries are receiving funding from DfID to tackle violence against women and girls.

Sources:

  • M2 PRESSWIRE (March 16, 2015)
  • Department for International Development (DfID)
  • Premier League
  • British Council
  • Premier Skills
  • M2 Communications (http://www.m2.com)