Basketball for gender equality

Context

In April 1994, during one hundred days, more than 800,000 people (men, women, children) were killed in Rwanda, and many others were beaten and tortured. According to Handicap International in 2019, about 29% of the population is still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder related to the genocide. And more than one in five people suffer from depressive episodes. Beyond the trauma caused by the genocide, women and girls are also sometimes victims of gender inequality and/or gender-based violence.

The Shooting Touch initiative is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It uses the game of basketball to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Objectives

• Development of basketball in rural areas
• Empowerment of young girls and women beneficiaries of the programme
• Reduction of gender inequalities through increased awareness of girls and boys
• Raising awareness of mental and sexual health issues

Activities

• Daily basketball sessions for girls, boys and women through an interactive educational programme.
• 5-month intensive session entitled “My Voice, My Power” to raise awareness on issues of sex life, early pregnancy, violence and gender equality
• Business training for young people in the programme with start-up financial support encouraging women to undertake business in local cooperatives
• Development of a 3-month basketball league for girls and women in rural areas
• Organisation of 2 basketball events per year coupled with community-wide mental and sexual health awareness campaigns to promote gender equality and healthy living.

Impacts

• 1,850 young girls impacted by the programme
• Improved community living environment
• Increased intra- and interpersonal awareness of gender inequality (and gender norms).
• Increased knowledge of health services, tools and supports available in the area
• Increased positive perception of self-worth and belonging to one’s own community (specifically for women and girls)

Photo credit: Shooting Touch