SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE SPORT AS A TOOL FOR PROMOTING GENDER EQUITY AND EMPOWERING GIRLS AND WOMEN

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SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACESPORT AS A TOOL
FOR PROMOTING GENDER EQUITY AND EMPOWERING GIRLS
AND WOMEN
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A CASE STUDY OF RWANDA

• The Rwandan 1994 Tutsi Genocide left many of
  girls and women, traumatized, victims of violence
  , and disabled.
• They were left with no self esteem, no
  self-confidence, no hope for change at the bed
  rock of the society.

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Despite the horrible effects of the 1994 Tutsi
genocide and the culture of preventing girls and
women from practicing sport, the trauma,
discouragement, lost of hope, esteem and
confidence suffered needed not to permanently
victimize them.Self esteem, self confidence,
hope, inclusion, empowerment, and team spirit all
represent the positive effect of sport for gender
equity program.
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For the past few years the Association of Kigali
Women in Sports (AKWOS ) has been using sport as
a dynamic tool, - For promoting gender equity
and empower girls and women, -Promoting Unity
and Reconciliation, -Boosting Rwandan womans
self confidence and self esteem, healing trauma,
depression and stress, -Promoting social and
economic rights, peace and security, -Fighting
gender based violence and HIV /AIDS.
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We have emphasized our commitment to Gender
Equity and girls and women empowerment,by trying
to mobilize, plan, train, develop and sustain
women sports (soccer, volley ball, basketball,
swimming, athletics, tennis, and karate) in our
country right from the grassroots. We are proud
of how much the place of sport in Gender Equity
and girls and women empowerment has been
established however, achieving a better approach
to best practices remains a work in progress.
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INTRODUCTIONSport is an integral part of the
culture of every nation, however, its use to
promote Gender Equity and empower girls and women
is often overlooked because it is not readily
perceived as a suitable or desired pursuit for
girls and women Existing social constructions
of masculinity and femininity-or socially
accepted ways of expressing what it means to be a
man or woman in a particular socio-cultural
context play a key role in determining access,
levels of participation, and benefits from sport.
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INTRODUCTION (CONTINUED)While it is true in
all countries that girls and women are less
likely than boys and men to participate in sport,
it is a mistake to assume that this is because
they themselves do not wish to participate.
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SOME OF THE BARRIERS PREVENTING GIRLS AND WOMEN
FROM BECOMING INVOLVED IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY.

• Political constraints
• Socio-cultural constraints
• Infrastructural barriers
• Economic constraints
• Skills development problems.

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FIVE WAYS IN WHICH SPORT CAN BENEFIT GIRLS AND
WOMEN

• Enhancing health and well-being
• Fostering self-esteem and empowerment
• Facilitating social inclusion and integration
• Challenging gender norms and
• Providing opportunities for leadership and
  achievement.

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KEY AREAS TO BE IMPROVED OR ADDRESSED

• Recognition of sports benefits in National sport
  policies.
• Addressing gender stereotypes, inequities or
  discrimination.
• Legislation, policies and funding for sport
  programs.
• Women and girls involvement in policy development
  and the planning of initiatives.

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• Key areas to be addresses (continued)
• Establishment of programs to actively promote
  female participation in sport.
• Offering a supportive environment
• Provide female role models.

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HOW SPORT PROGRAMS AIMED AT GENDER EQUITY AND
EMPOWERMENT OF GIRLS AND WOMEN CAN CONTRIBUTE TO
THE FOLLOWING GOALS

• Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger
• Achievement of universal primary education
• Promotion of gender equity and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health

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• (Continued)
• Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development
• To promote Unity and reconciliation
• Conflict resolution, promoting peace and security

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FURTHER RESEARCH AREAS

• Investigating the sport programming needs and
  interests of girls and women, with a view to
  increasing the number, variety and relevancy of
  programs.

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THANK YOU GOD BLESS YOU