Increasing forest cover through play in Nairobi

Women were often marginalized in various areas like politics, sports, education, and employment for a long time. But things are changing. Efforts to create a more inclusive society have led to transformative changes. In recent years, there has been remarkable progress towards gender equality in sports. Some sports for development programs have targeted empowering girls and promoting equality since their emergence in the Millennium Development Goals era. ( Kwauk, 2021)

Various organizations dedicated to social and economic development employ diverse strategies to empower women. One approach involves utilizing sports. The United Nations' 2030 Agenda, established in 2015, highlights the importance of sports in realizing sustainable development.

Sports participation leads to personal development which is important for realizing youth potential. Sport can build bridges between communities, regardless of their cultural differences or political divisions, as it disregards geographical borders, ethnic differences, and social classes. To effectively realize these objectives, initiatives undertaken by such organizations should establish inclusive sporting environments tailored to girls and women, enabling them to cultivate skills and improve interpersonal communication.

What are inclusive spaces in sports? How do you create them? And why are they important? Inclusive spaces prioritize inclusivity, are discrimination-free, and make women feel respected. Different regions face unique gender equality challenges in sports. In Kenya, creating these spaces involves addressing social norms, access to resources, safety concerns, and cultural barriers. Some strategies include engaging with community leaders, schools, girls, and women, converting open spaces into safe sports areas, providing mentorship for disabled women, showcasing successful female athletes, and monitoring program effectiveness.

Safe spaces in sports offer women a supportive environment to connect, share experiences, and form relationships with similar individuals. Engaging in sports can boost confidence, self-esteem, and leadership abilities, empowering women to challenge stereotypes and overcome gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated spaces. These inclusive spaces also facilitate teaching crucial skills such as social and emotional learning, sexual and reproductive health education, financial literacy, environmental awareness, and more. Read more

Links:

• Blog on Green-Kenya website