In an effort to advance gender equity in sports, BK West United is launching the “Girls Can Play” Fellowship, a pioneering initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of female leaders in football. Set to commence in September 2024 and run through March 2025, the fellowship is designed to equip young women with critical leadership skills, language proficiency, and the tools to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) within the sports community.
This program marks a significant step in addressing the gender disparities that persist in the world of sports, particularly in football, where female representation remains disproportionately low in both player and leadership roles. The fellowship is more than just a training program—it’s a transformative experience that leverages the power of football as a catalyst for broader social change and as a means to break down the gender stereotypes that have long stifled women’s participation in the sport, especially in Africa.
Participants will undergo a six-month training regimen that includes monthly leadership workshops, football exhibition games, public speaking training, German language classes, and SGBV awareness sessions. These elements are strategically designed to empower fellows not just on the field but as influential figures within their communities. The fellowship will culminate in an international cultural exchange, where participants will engage in international football exhibition games and a conference alongside female athletes from around the world.
“This fellowship is about more than just playing football,” said Baboucar Mbaye, coordinator of the fellowship. “It’s about empowering young women to become leaders who can drive meaningful change both within their communities and on a global stage.”
The fellowship’s objectives are clear and ambitious. It seeks to build leadership capacity among its participants, enhancing their self-confidence, decision-making abilities, and sense of responsibility. Additionally, by providing basic German language training, the program aims to prepare fellows for their immersive international exchange experience, facilitating cross-cultural understanding and communication.
A key component of the program is its focus on addressing SGBV in sports. By educating participants on the prevalence and impact of such violence, the fellowship hopes to create a new generation of advocates who will work to ensure safer, more inclusive environments for women in football.
The program structure is comprehensive, with regular football matches fostering solidarity among female players, while the workshops and classes provide the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership and advocacy. The fellowship also includes a mid-program evaluation to assess participants’ progress and a final project that challenges each fellow to design and implement a community initiative focused on leadership or SGBV, using football as a platform for social impact.
Upon completion, fellows are expected to emerge as confident, culturally competent leaders who can advocate for gender equity within the sports sector. They will also gain invaluable international exposure and networking opportunities during the international exchange, positioning them as global ambassadors for women’s sports.
To ensure the program’s impact is both immediate and long-lasting, BK West United plans to conduct pre- and post-assessments of the fellows’ development and the effectiveness of their community projects. Additionally, a fellowship alumni network will be established to track the ongoing influence of the program on participants’ careers and contributions to women’s sports.
As the fellowship prepares to launch, it is poised to make a lasting impact not only on the lives of the young women who participate but also on the broader landscape of women’s sports. BK West United’s initiative stands as a powerful testament to the role that sports can play in driving social change and advancing gender equity on a global scale. In a region where women have often been sidelined, this fellowship is a vital step toward dismantling the barriers that have held women back from fully participating in the beautiful game.
