Young girls' fight for equality through sports

Dear Global Givers,

The nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many vulnerable families in an unprecedented crisis. The crisis clearly shows that people in the most vulnerable situations are hit the hardest by the pandemic and how it is exacerbating structural inequalities in society. Cases of domestic violence, child marriages, sexual abuse and girls dropping out of formal education have been reported to have increased since the lockdown. Mass school closures are tending to entrench
learning gaps between girls and boys and putting many more girls at risk of sexual exploitation, early pregnancy, and early or forced marriage. For many poor families where only the mother or father owns a mobile phone, girls are mostly made to do domestic work while boys are given the preference of attending online classes.

iPartner India’s project in the slums of Kolkata to promote an all-girls football team was already facing the challenges before the pandemic. Most of these girls come from extremely resource-poor and conservative backgrounds, having fought gender norms and societal pressures to be part of a team to play a sport that is associated with boys. We are hopeful that the girls will soon be able to unite as a team and start practising football once the situation improves.

Despite many new challenges emerging due to COVID-19, our team on the ground managed to remain connected and ensured that the girls were regularly engaged through various online classes and training sessions.

Online classes continue as many schools remain shut and the girls are coping to complete school work and at the same time are encouraged to participate in series of online sessions to avail counselling, gender training and football coaching classes. The team is closely monitoring the progress of all the girls and are also regularly in touch with their families.

Since many girls were facing stress and depression due to COVID and restriction on mobility, a support group has been established with the help of a counsellor. The group enables the girls to share and discuss psycho-social issues in a safe space. One to one tele-counselling have been held for the girls by the counsellor and girls are also encouraged to reach out to their peer support group in case of any help.

A WhatsApp group was formed where the football coach has been giving various tasks, exercises and skill-building techniques by sharing videos, including videos on inspirational girls' football stories. The girls have been practising in their rooms or the streets and regularly share their videos with the team and the coach. The coach is closely engaging with the girls and gives his feedback and other tasks for the girls to keep practising. The girls are encouraged to work as a team, motivate their teammates to practice with them and upload the videos on the chat group.

Thank you, Global Givers, for your continued support. We need your support now more than ever to ensure that the football team will continue and give these girls an opportunity to pursue their passion for the game.

With deep gratitude,

iPartner India Team