JICA empowers refugee girls through football

Women have in different communities faced obstacles coming into the world of sports especially physical sports such as cycling and football.

Women in some communities and countries have been denied a chance to take part in sports disciplines due to a misconception that this is meant for the male gender.

As communities in all countries of the world prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Uganda has continued to make a way for disadvantaged girls through sports.  

To effect their endeavour, JICA in partnership with Uganda Premier League side Soltilo Bright Stars and United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) alongside her Implementing Partners (IPs), held a football clinic for refugees and host communities in Rwamwanja refugee settlement in Kamwenge district on Saturday.

The event had Bright Stars team of coaches take the female players from the different parts of the settlement and neighboring community schools through a series of ball skills and competitions before selecting a team to compete in the day’s game.

While officiating at the event, Inoue Yoichi, the JICA chief representative in Uganda said the agency is committed to supporting sports for refugees and the host community.

“This event is held in commemoration of International Women's Day and recognition of the important role sports plays, in not only enhancing peaceful co-existence but also in attracting development, it also contributes to good health, education, and empowerment of vulnerable populations like women and the youth,” Yoichi said.

“The women's day celebrations are on March 8 and it is therefore a fitting way to usher in the celebration with this event to commemorate the day. Women are the pillars of society and our support to the girl child is aimed at among others, to empower the women to be able to achieve their full potential,”     

It was also JICA’s goal to enhance peaceful co-existence between refugees and hosts, providing a platform for advocacy of refugee plight in Uganda, promoting women empowerment, and above all, creating a platform for talent identification and development.

75 girl refugees and hosts aged between 16 and 19 from 4 teams Global Preparatory School, Kyempango Community team, King of Kings, and Western Giants Academy team, took part in the clinic.

Inoue Yoichi, the JICA chief representative at the Uganda office, alongside UNHCR officials, hands over a set of uniform to Kyempango community football team

The event was crowned by Yoichi handing over sets of sports kits donated by Chifure AS Elfen Saitama a football club playing in the Women Empowerment (WE) League in Japan, and assorted gifts for the teams.