Unicef empowering women

By James Waindi

Women football could have hit rock bottom in the last five years but the introduction of the Unicef tournament is gradually reviving women interest in the country’s most famous sport.

Kenya last participated in an international match in 2004 in an Africa Championship qualifier where they were walloped 5-1 by Nigeria at home, prompting the sudden death of women’s football.

In its fifth edition, the Unicef Girls’ Tournament with a theme of Kick AIDS out of Kenya has grown rapidly and currently brings together 84 girls’ teams which in 14 different districts and attract approximately 18, 000 participants.

Mathare Young Kings’ Winnie Kiloki (left) and Christine Anyango of Kinyago United FC tussle for the ball during this year’s World Aids Day at Police Depot grounds, Nairobi. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO /STANDARD]

Through the initiative, Unicef has successfully linked football to environmental issues, HIV/AIDS awareness/prevention, leadership training and other community service activities.

Difficult subjects

According to the Nairobi Province Director of Sports Alice Gekonde who co-ordinates the Nairobi women league, football is a link that engages and enlightens young and older girls and drive them away from vices.

"During practice sessions everyday, coaches are able to address difficult subjects such as HIV, AIDS and sex. But football has more to offer: It is a vehicle for informing the community as well.

At tournaments, banners, music and performances at half-time convey messages to the public that get through to youths and men as well," said Gekonde.

Gekonde said despite developing girls’ football in the country, their drive was also aimed at forming girls’ football teams in several districts as a vehicle towards teaching them to avoid being infected with HIV/AIDS.

The project includes interesting lessons about the role of sports in the fight against HIV/AIDS and in the struggle for gender empowerment.

Changed lives

At Huruma, women with an average of 30 years have formed a team called Waithaka Babes, which competes in not only the Unicef event but also other enter-constituency fixtures, and they reckon football has changed their lives.

"Most of us practiced prostitution, brewed illicit brews and even engaged in theft, we never had time to talk to our children and educate them on different issues. But through this initiative, we have learnt new things in life. We now think positively and have realised the importance of sports in life," said Anne Wangui, a member of the Waithaka Babes team.

Hard-working single mothers, who make up the majority of the Wathaka Babes team, have little or no time to communicate with their children.

Peers are therefore left with the responsibility of passing on vital information, which, if incorrect, can lead to risky behaviour.

Unicef project officer Roselyn Mutemi said through sports, girls learn to speak up for themselves. They also have the opportunity to excel and to become more self-confident. Team sports such as football teach girls how to operate as a group. This puts girls in a better position to discuss sex with boys as equals. "Providing the girls with these skills enables them to spread accurate information and help to reduce the incidence of the disease, as well as combat other threats such as rape, prostitution and drug abuse," said Mutemi.

HIV positive

A considerable share of Kenya’s population is HIV positive. Infection rates vary considerably between boys and girls. Girls ages 15 to 19 are seven times more likely than boys in this age group to become infected. A recent study by Unicef has noted considerable gender inequality. Women do not figure in decision-making processes.

They are not entitled to own property, are often abused and are severely overworked. Education is considered more important for boys than for girls.

Findings reveal that in Kenya young adults, especially young girls and women, need help to become more self-sufficient and more independent. They also need to be informed and to be taught how to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. Broaching difficult subjects such as HIV/AIDS and sex, however, is far from easy. Appropriate and appealing associative links need to be available.

At the moment, the league runs in 14 districts across the country including Nairobi, Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Garisa, Siaya and Bondo.

 

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