Girl Power! Football league in Togo teaches leadership skills
As part of a project to empower girls through sports, Plan supported a championship football league in Togo, for girls to join teams in their villages and compete
Empowering girls through playing football teaches them valuable skills. As well as communication and participation, it also encourages them to take part in team work
After taking part in the project, many of the girls hope to persue a career in football. Plan encourages and supports those girls who wish to pursue a career in sports
The football championship league proved very popular throughout Togo, bringing children and their families together to show their support for the girls from their villages
The football league gave girls the opportunity to meet others from different villages across Togo. They passed on their knowledge about gender inequality and girl's rights
Preparing for the semi-finals later this year, the girls continue to raise awareness for the need for equal rights between boys and girls, and the importance of gender equality
During half time, girls from the Langabou football team performed a routine to highlight the importance of education for children and raising awareness of equal rights
21 November, 2011: As part of the ‘Leadership of girls through football’ project, Plan Togo recently organised a match for girls from the Kadambara region to play against their rivals from the Langabou region. After a hard fought game, the team from Kadambara were victorious, winning the match 1-0 and is now preparing for the championship semi-final in December.
The project has been a great success for children in Togo as playing football can provide them with a number of skills that they can use in the future, including team work and communication.
A championship league has been set up where 12 teams of 36 girls compete against one another, and aims to promote and reinforce the leadership of girls by supporting the efforts of the communities through football. Local radio stations have also showed their support, promoting the project, the match results and the issue at the heart of the project – child protection.
During half time at this particular match, girls from the Langabou football team performed a dance routine highlighting the importance of education for children, particularly girls, and raised awareness of the need for equal rights of boys and girls.
Plan has been working hard to promote children’s rights and provide girls with skills that they can take back to other children in their communities in Togo. The leadership through football project is building confidence in the girls to speak in public, as well as fostering a competitive spirit and promoting physical wellbeing.
This championship football match had everyone in Togo excited. People came to watch the match from all over. According to proud mother Marie: “When I see my daughter falling to the ground in the match, I do worry, but when she stands back up and continues to play, I see how courageous she has become. Since my daughter has taken part in the project, she has learnt so many new skills. Thank you to Plan, for their hard work and support they have shown to our girls.”
According to one of the players: “This project has enabled me to discover my weaknesses and to work on these. I have also been able to see the many corners of Togo and experience how different children live. I intend to continue playing football, and hope to become a professional referee. I thank Plan Togo for everything they have given us.”
Read more about Plan's work in Togo
