STRIVE Tackling the structural drivers of HIV

Harmful gender norms act as a major hurdle in the development of adolescent girls and young women in India. The Parivartan programme engaged with adolescent girls in a sports programme, challenging the strong norm that “sports is a boys’ thing” and demonstrating that change is possible. The role-model approach helped girls and young women to claim public space and this resulted in increased mobility and visibility. 

Showcasing these research findings from STRIVE partner the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)’s Parivartan programme, has made it evident to other NGOs, programme organisations and institutions that sports can be a strong tool to challenge gender norms. Several sports for development programmes have been conceptualised and implemented since Parivartan.