Promoting volleyball in schools to integrate gender equality

Context 

On the political level, Togo has adopted a national sport plan that provides opportunities for all to practice sport. Despite the adoption of the national sport plan, the actions of the prefectural volleyball district are still very limited in promoting community sport. On the
other hand, there are still many social barriers that hinder the practice of physical activity and sports for girls/women. Girls have to face certain socio-cultural constraints (social prejudices linked to the influences of traditional roles assigned to women) which limit their participation in activities. The latter have important domestic obligations which leave them very little time for sport.

It is in this context that the initiative carried out by the Togolese Association for the Promotion of Sport for All fits in.

Goals

• To achieve gender equality in participation in volleyball training in 6 secondary schools, for students aged 10 to 14
• To strengthen the economic viability of the association and facilitate access to sport in the region within 2 years by setting up an income-generating activity
• To reduce the rate of early pregnancies
• To raise awareness of the recycling of plastic waste through its revalorisation

Activities

• Conducting regular volleyball sessions in schools and communities
• Organisation of an inter-school tournament for girls
• Purchase of volleyball equipment and materials, waste bins and materials to fight against Covid 19
• Construction of changing rooms and rehabilitation of fields
•  Training of facilitators (teachers and/or students) in the techniques of the game, in net weaving and in the local manufacture of balls from recycled materials (plastics and others)
• Shop rental, sale of sports articles and equipment
• Raising awareness of women’s sports and sex education sessions for the general
  public

Impact/expected results

• Women/girls will have the same access to sport as boys
• 6 teachers other than PE teachers will integrate the sports dimension into their regular work and participate more actively in training sessions in schools and community clubs
• 8 people will be trained, including 6 teachers and 12 students (6 girls and 6 boys) in volleyball techniques and ball making from recycled materials
• Girls and boys will adopt responsible sexual behaviour
• The beneficiaries will be relays to disseminate good practices in the community

Photo Credit: NOC*NSF