Girls soccer in Brazil, changing gender norms

In Brazil schools close for two to three weeks in July for the winter break and for this report, we decided to interview girls from all six schools we are giving girls futsal classes to find out how it was for them to come back from this break, Jane* told us that "My life changed after I started participating in futsal, I learned a lot here and the classes help me reduce my anxiety, during the holidays I really missed playing this sport" and Mika* from another school said that "During the holidays I really missed futsal, playing with my friends, being able to run and burn off energy and also the teacher teaching us futsal." Almost all the girls expressed how much they missed doing sport duting the holidays and it has clearly become an important part of their lives.

As you know, we are giving these classes in schools as they are the only places families feel are safe enough for girls to practice sport and we have a big focus on using sport to break down gender barriers. As you will see from a couple of interviews that I shall now share, the barriers continue to be very present in the girls' lives but they are individually overcoming the obstacles. Maria* told us "Since I was little I've always watched a lot of football, my family is fanatical and I was interested in participating in futsal classes; practicing helps me with my performance, improves my health and also to show all the girls who are ashamed to play futsal that this is not just for boys, it's for anyone who wants it, it's a game of freedom, to express your feelings. I follow women's football, I followed the World Cup and my inspiration is Marta and Antonia. Many boys sometimes make fun of me for being a girl and playing futsal, they tell me that I don't have the physical stature, they try to put me down, but everything they do, we girls can do too. After I started classes, I have a more regulated sleep, my health has improved, I have changed my diet, I also practice futsal at home and I am always trying to improve my performance. My motivation to continue playing futsal is to show that it is a sport for everyone, that no one needs to be ashamed of playing, here I also have the support of my friends and we have a very nice environment." Bia* also suffered gender prejudice: "I was very excited when I found out that I would have futsal classes here at the school. I follow women's football, I like to watch Marta. I've already suffered prejudice in physical education class, a boy told me things that weren't cool, for me there shouldn't be prejudice, football is for boys and girls. After I started participating in classes I started to enjoy futsal and playing more, my motivation for continuing to come to classes is to help me achieve my dream, which is to be a football player."

It is very clear to us that the women's worl cup was an incredible inspiration for all of the girls whilst we have all seen how strong prejudice is even in the professional women's game and this makes us ever more determined to keep this project going with your valuable support.

*We have changed the children's names to protect their privacy.