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. 

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 gender-based violence. A team and trusted coaches can provide that environment.

Although the concept of using sport as a strategy to help empower girls and women is gaining international momentum, there is a lack of practical information about how to actually do it. Successful girls’ sports programmes are not built by simply inviting girls to participate in existing boys’ teams or programmes. Girls face gender-specific and institutionalized barriers to participation, communicate differently and have unique motivations and expectations of their sporting experience. Sustainable programmes must be led by people who understand and address the key challenges facing girls and their families.

In an effort to begin this conversation of how to best do this work, we've published the first International Guide for Designing Sport Programmes for Girls, in collaboration with 35 partner organizations and experts. We are currently in the process of building an interactive online space for this Guide that will allow for collaborative authoring and sharing of information throughout social networks.  

We welcome you to join the movement at GirlSportGuides.org!