Gender-based violence is a major public health and human rights problem throughout the world. This type of violence often happens behind closed doors. Too often, cultural norms and legal systems treat violence against women as a private family matter or a normal part of family life. A girl, regardless of age, may fear attacks at home, on the streets and even at school. This type of violence takes the shape of rape, molestation, and physical or emotional abuse, such as intimidation, punching or grabbing. Perpetrators can be family members, teachers, boyfriends and complete strangers.
A girl needs a safe space to discuss experiences, violations and fears, and receive validation that her fears are okay. Furthermore, a girl needs to understand her legal rights. She also needs a place where she can learn confidence that will help her avoid becoming a victim of genderbased violence. A team and trusted coaches can provide that environment.
Unfortunately, gender power dynamics and abuse happen even within programmes aimed at empowering girls through sports. Girls in several partner programmes report exposure to gender abuse, harassment or violence by male coaches and staff. It is important that the programme director and leaders ensure that girls are protected when they participate in a sport programme and that each participant's safety is constantly monitored.
Programme profile:
MIFUMI (Tororo, Uganda)
In some contexts, reporting gender-based violence to the police can help bring a perpetrator to justice and help the victim begin to heal. However, in other places, the police cannot be trusted to handle these situations with professionalism and sensitivity and can even add to a girl's trauma. It is important for those working with girls to have a safe and effective outlet to report gender-based violence and abuse. Local women's advocacy and support groups are often the most effective allies. Girls benefit greatly when sports programs create partnerships with these local domestic violence service providers for education and referrals.
MIFUMI is a women – led organization, working to end domestic violence by working with survivors and their organizations to increase support to them and to enable them to become more effective and skillful and to promote women's rights. The organization is well known for its campaigns against domestic violence and bride price violations. As part of their programming, MIFUMI has begun to use karate and taekwondo with girls ages 10-16 to help empower them to defend themselves, while providing education about domestic violence.
Participants undergo an initial intensive training over 14 days and thereafter meet in their respective teams once a week to undergo training. Trainings consist of two parts: karate/taekwondo and domestic violence & child protection using a resource pack “Feel Free” developed by MIFUMI to explore conflict management, relationships and domestic violence.
Tips for addressing
gender-based abuse and violence through sports programs and relationships
- Insure that all coaches have been trained by
professionals to recognize signs of gender-based violence and are able to
competently and effectively address the problem.
- Educate each girl about what genderbased violence is,
with clear examples.
- Teach each participant how to say “no” and negotiate
and advocate for herself when being approached by a man or boy.
- Use imagery whenever possible to show each girl what
abuse looks like. Strong pictures can elicit fear and emotional responses,
but can also create mental images that resonate more strongly than words.
- Educate each girl about her legal rights, and when the
laws will not protect her.
- Listen well and always assume a girl is telling the
truth.
- Teach each girl who is disabled the difference between
gender-based and disability-based violence and where they intersect.
- Rely on local service providers, such as social welfare
organizations, to help educate each participant and counsel her if she has
been victimized. Be prepared to transport a girl who has been victimized
to a service provider instead of simply making a referral.
- Report instances of gender-based violence to the police
and family, if this does not further jeopardize the girl. If a family
member is involved, or the police cannot be trusted, use alternative
service providers.
- Adopt a zero-tolerance policy for any coach or staff
member who is found to have abused a girl.
- Mandate background checks, whenever possible, for
anyone working directly with the participants.
- Invite someone who has experienced and overcome
gender-based violence to come share her story with the group.
- Train peer educators about addressing gender-based
violence. A girl is often more willing to talk to a peer about being
abused.
- Use alternative communication forms, such as poetry,
music or theater to open up sensitive discussions about gender-based
violence.
- Conduct outreach events to raise awareness about
gender-based violence in your region.
- Inform caregivers that you will discuss this topic with
the girls. Organize a discussion evening with interested caregivers.
- Invite boys to sit in some workshops and learn to
listen and discuss issues that affect the girls. Invite the boys to
support the girls.