In the lead-up to the Sustainable Development Goals, sport is increasingly recommended as a mechanism to increase adolescent girls’ self-esteem, self-confidence and educational aspirations. In this context, Dr Madhumita Das was invited to the Women Deliver Conference, to make a presentation at the Girl Power in Play symposium (Ottawa, Canada, 18–19 June 2015) on Parivartan for Girls, a study by STRIVE partner the International Center for Research of Women (ICRW-ARO). The backdrop of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 ensured media and political attention for the symposium, where Dr Das presented to international NGOs, UN agencies and corporations. Women Deliver, UNICEF, Right To Play, One Goal, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) hosted the event.
Presenting Parivartan for Girls
In her first presentation, Dr Das highlighted the latest evidence of the benefits of sport for girls and women. Where other organisations are purely focused on sports programmes, however, Parivartan for Girls addresses gender equity and social norms by involving girls as both mentors and players. To address normative and structural barriers requires action on safe public spaces, women’s position and perceptions of girls in society.
Gender is a silent issue in many of these presentations. Yet this is exactly what sports programmes need to address.
Madhumita Das, ICRW-ARO
Dr Das’s second presentation focused on early pregnancy, highlighting the ways in which Parivartan for Girls broaches life skills, health and rights, with sport as a means to reduce early pregnancy, maternal mortality and HIV risk. The programme provides girls with a safe context in which to discuss otherwise taboo subjects including bodies, safe sex and choice of partners.
Safe spaces for girls
We talk about sport but do we think about safe spaces? When we take girls out of their homes, are we increasing their risk and vulnerability?
Madhumita Das, ICRW-ARO
Attendees showed keen interest in protecting girls’ right to play sport in situations where this is not common. Plenary discussions addressed ways to forward the agenda:
The case for investment
High-level government officials, professional and Olympic journalists, influencers, youth, international NGOs, experts and girls and women involved in sports participated in discussions about
We bring different kinds of discourse to this platform. The contribution by STRIVE and ICRW-ARO allows people to think more about gender and social norms and not just sports.
Madhumita Das, ICRW-ARO
Co-hosts of the symposium formally launched an advocacy campaign called Girl Power in Play. The centrepiece is a Call to Action for global leaders to ensure that sports are incorporated as an empowering process, listing specific actions by sector.
Governments
Donors
Sport-related federations and NGOs
Researchers
UN Agencies and Member States
Recognise that participation in sport is an important accelerator to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals – particularly in health, education, gender empowerment, nutrition, poverty reduction, and peace – and ensure that sport is reflected in the implementation of these goals.
Media
Address stigma and beliefs that prevent girls and women from participating in sport.
News
Blogs
Programme tools