What does a football field mean to a girl in Madhesh?
29 July 2025Picture a football field, not just for play, but where a girl breaks the silence and defies rules. In Madhesh, girls are told football is “unladylike” and wearing shorts is “shameful.” But Preeti, 15, from Dhanusha, is changing that, one kick at a time.
One kick at a time
“My name is Preeti. I’m the eldest of 6 siblings in my family, and I play football.
“That may not sound unusual to some, but in Madhesh, it’s still rare to see a girl on a football field.
“Here, most people believe that girls should stay indoors, help with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of younger siblings. We are expected to speak softly, dress modestly, and prepare for marriage from a young age. Many believe that sports are only for boys, that girls are “too delicate,” or that it’s “shameful” for us to be seen running around in public, especially in shorts.
“When I first began playing football, people stared. Some laughed. Others whispered behind my back. I felt embarrassed and unsure. I was shy and didn’t know how to express what I was feeling, not even to my coach or teammates.
“But I kept showing up.
“Getting to training was tough. I had to cycle long distances to reach the ground. There were no toilets, no drinking water, and no sanitary pads. The conditions weren’t easy, but I didn’t stop. I knew if I gave up, nothing would ever change, for me or for other girls like me.
“In the first year of the football tournament, I didn’t get to play. I sat on the bench and watched. But I learned. I kept training, even when it was difficult and lonely.
“This year, things changed. I made it into the starting line-up. I played as a striker, scored a hat trick, and was chosen as one of 32 girls to represent Madhesh Province. That was the proudest moment of my life.
“The boys who used to tease me now want to play like me. That gives me strength.
“The boys who used to tease me now want to play like me. That gives me strength.”
Preeti
“Football has changed how I see myself, and how others see me, too. I’ve started to believe in my abilities. I speak up when something doesn’t feel right. I work together with my teammates, and we respect each other, even when we don’t always agree.
“Last year, I would stay silent even if something bothered me. Now, I speak up, even to my coach.
“My coach has seen the change in me, too. He once said, “Preeti used to be quiet, both in her game and in her conversations. But she never gave up. Now, she’s a leader on the pitch and among her peers. Her determination pushes all of us to do better.”
“Preeti used to be quiet, both in her game and in her conversations. But she never gave up. Now, she’s a leader on the pitch and among her peers. Her determination pushes all of us to do better.”
Preeti’s coach
Changing minds, shaping futures
“Today, my family supports me. My teachers notice my growth. Even the wider community, which once ignored girls in sports, now comes to cheer for us and celebrate our success.
“During the tournament, Kamala, Vice-Chair of Janaknandini Rural Municipality, said something that really stayed with me, “Hosting a girls’ football tournament in local schools marks an important cultural shift. It shows that more people now recognise the importance of girls’ education, voice, and participation. As a local government, we will continue to support initiatives that promote equality and opportunity for all.”
“Hearing her say that gave me hope. It made me feel seen. It made me believe that change is happening, even if slowly.
“In Madhesh, many girls still face early marriage, are pulled out of school, and are told to stay quiet. But I believe we can change that, one voice, one girl, one match at a time.
“Football helped me find my confidence, and it helped others believe in me too. Now, I want to make things better for the girls who come after me. We still need better facilities, proper toilets, access to pads, and safe spaces to train, but I want to help create those changes.
“One day, I want to play for Nepal’s national team, just like Preeti Rai, a national football player from Nepal, is my biggest inspiration. She showed me that girls from places like ours can shine on the world stage.
“We girls can do everything boys can. Sometimes, we can do even more.”
“That’s what I believe. And I won’t stop until I prove it.
About the project
The Shiksha Project promotes gender equality through education by improving learning environments and teaching quality in 24 basic schools across Bideha Municipality and Janaknandini Rural Municipality in Dhanusha District, Madhesh Province. With a gender-transformative approach, the project challenges deep-rooted gender norms by supporting school construction, teacher training, community engagement, and gender-responsive policy development. Recognising the cultural barriers girls face, especially in Madhesh, the project includes activities like girls’ football to help build girls’ confidence, leadership, and visibility, both in and beyond the classroom.
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