On November 25th, the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to honor the courage of three sisters who bravely opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, a Dominican military commander and tragically lost their lives as a result. The international outcry that followed the sisters’ murder contributed to the downfall of the Trujillo dictatorship.
This significant day calls for collective action to eradicate all forms of violence inflicted upon women and girls, promoting gender equality and fostering a world free from discrimination and abuse.
Violence against women transcends borders, impacting every society, culture, and socio-economic class. From domestic violence and human trafficking to sexual harassment and harmful cultural practices, women worldwide face multifaceted challenges. The day sheds light on these issues, urging governments, organizations, and individuals to address and combat violence against women.
Several studies have established that engaging in sport has served as a potent tool in combating violence against women, offering a platform for women to cultivate both physical and mental strength, and fostering resilience in the midst of challenges.
Unveiling Layers of Prejudice
In developing countries, women often confront heightened vulnerability to violence due to a complex interplay of socio-economic factors. Challenges such as limited access to education, economic opportunities, and healthcare, coupled with entrenched gender norms and discrimination, create an environment where women face an elevated risk of various forms of experiencing domestic violence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, and harmful cultural practices.
These multiple forms of violence exacerbate the challenges women encounter, reinforcing the urgent need for comprehensive efforts to address and eradicate gender-based violence in these regions. Additionally, insufficient legal protection, weak law enforcement, and cultural practices, perpetuating gender-based violence further amplify the vulnerability of women in these regions.
Analyzing data from 49 low and middle-income countries using Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2005-2017, researchers at the University of Bristol found that societal acceptance of domestic violence was high across almost all countries. Notably, country-level factors, particularly the political environment, played a significant role in shaping attitudes toward domestic violence, with higher acceptance observed in countries experiencing frequent and severe political conflict within the past five years.
Recognizing the imperative to address these challenges, international authorities, from the World Bank to the United Nations, emphasize that empowering girls and women is the most effective strategy to combat poverty globally.
Sport Empowers
“Sport has the unique ability to empower women, teaching us resilience, teamwork, and the strength to rise above any obstacle. It’s not just a game; it’s a powerful force for change and equality.” – Serena Williams, former American Tennis player.
Over the last decade, the use of sport as a tool for empowering youth in developing nations has surged. However, the prevailing trend sees sport opportunities predominantly tailored for and dominated by boys and men, reinforcing entrenched gender inequities globally. Adolescent girls and young women, constrained by limitations, such as limited mobility, limited access to education, economic opportunities, early marriage, and the pressure of domestic responsibilities, are not able to fully participate in sports.
Participation in a well-designed sport-based program has the potential to equip women with skills, including physical fitness, mental resilience, teamwork, leadership, and life knowledge, empowering them to positively influence family and community dynamics. As women gain confidence in their abilities, they become influential advocates for positive change, challenging traditional gender norms and contributing to more equitable and supportive communities.
Participating in sports emerges as a powerful mechanism in the fight against gender-based violence. Engaging in sports becomes a transformative experience, instilling a sense of agency and autonomy. As women break barriers and excel in sports, they challenge societal norms, inspiring others to envision a world where gender equality prevails, both in sports and daily life.. In essence, sports serve as a catalyst for personal empowerment and societal change, providing women with the tools and confidence to stand against gender-based violence.
Moreover, girl-centered, rights-based sport programs can leverage the power of sport to draw in and engage communities through outreach meetings, events, or campaigns. These can serve as platforms to inform and mobilize the community on various issues affecting girls and women in their daily lives. Additionally, these platforms can be used to encourage girls to take leadership roles in creating and implementing these outreach initiatives, fostering empowerment and community engagement.
In the realm of combating violence against women, several organizations have leveraged sport as a powerful strategy. Creating Resources for Empowerment in Action (CREA), a feminist, rights-based organization, carried out a sports-based initiative in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. This program empowered adolescent girls, equipping them with the ability to negotiate with their families and respond assertively to derogatory comments directed at them.
International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), is another organization that implemented a sport-based intervention in Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Maharashtra where they observed changes in families and communities as mothers became more supportive of their daughters pursuing sports and fathers became partners in the process, thus changing the discourse on gender. This contributes significantly to breaking down the patriarchal system and the discriminatory norms, which result in the perpetuation of gender-based violence.
In partnership with Girls Not Brides, Pro Sport Development organized a three-part workshop series engaging youth leaders in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The focus of these workshops was to harness the power of sports as a catalyst for discussions on gender, particularly addressing the prevention of child marriage.
Recognizing child marriage as a root cause and perpetuator of violence against girls, the workshops effectively introduced innovative strategies, including mixed-gender sports, to foster gender sensitivity among the youth leaders. These emerging leaders expressed their willingness to implement these strategies within their communities.
Remarkably, the workshops also empowered female youth leaders, some of whom had experienced child marriage themselves. These courageous young women not only gained the strength to advocate for their rights but were also motivated to inspire other girls in their communities to stand up for their own rights. This highlights the potential of sports as a powerful tool to cultivate agency among women, contributing to its ability to address gender-based violence.
The transformative power of sport in empowering women has also been exemplified by figures like Nadia Nadim. Born in Afghanistan, she defied societal constraints to become both a footballer and a doctor in Denmark. Having overcome adversity and discrimination, Nadia Nadim now stands as a beacon of empowerment, inspiring countless girls and women to break free from gender norms and unleash their full potential.
Beyond the Scoreboard
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence worldwide. From the courageous Mirabal sisters who fought against dictatorship to contemporary advocates like Nadia Nadim, the stories of resilience and empowerment through sport inspire hope.
Sport emerges not just as a game but as a powerful force for change and equality, offering a unique avenue for women to build physical and mental strength. As women break barriers in sports, they challenge societal norms, contributing to a vision of a world where gender equality prevails.
The transformative power of sport reaches beyond athleticism, empowering women to confront and overcome the various forms of gender-based violence that persist in society. On this day, and every day, collective action is imperative to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls, fostering a world free from discrimination and abuse. In essence, triumphs on the field translate into victories beyond – where One Win Leads to Another.