Girls' Empowerment Soccer Festival

Girls' Empowerment Soccer Festival

The South East District Youth Empowerment League in collaboration with the British High Commission hosted a "Girls' Empowerment Soccer Festival" at the National Stadium in Gaborone. The objective of the festival was to showcase female football talent in Botswana, while empowering them at the same time.

The British High Commission in collaboration with the South East District Youth League hosted a Girls’ Empowerment Soccer Festival. The theme of the day’s event was "Celebrating World Cup 2010 and Girls’ Football Talent in Botswana". A key objective of this day’s event was to showcase female football talent in Botswana, while empowering them at the same time. The event presented an ideal platform for them to share, learn and make friends. This was a unique festival introducing for the First time an entertaining and exciting Girls only 7 aside tournament using half of the field. The festival started on a league basis before advancing into the knock out stages.

As Africa continues to celebrate the opportunity given to it to host the world's largest football extravaganza, World Cup 2010 in South Africa, it seems almost meaningless for an African Girl child. While the love of football might exist in both genders in Botswana, for young women to actually pick up a ball and play themselves, is a much harder and more complex undertaking than it is for young men. The challenge such as tradition creates when trying to mobilize young women to play on a football team is significant. Hence this events timing was perfect.

While Africa is celebrating, the Girls Empowerment Festival was a stage for the girl child in Botswana to have a reason to celebrate as well. The event presented an ideal opportunity for them to develop their untapped talents. This collaboration was geared towards giving them a sporting chance and opportunities through sports as well.

"Letting the Girls play" - This was an ideal opportunity as well, to showcase the role that different local and International partners; Consulates and Embassies including the media could play towards Empowering the Girl child in the future to come