Sport en Commun

Project supported by ActivateHer

Established in January 2018, ActivateHer is a non-profit organisation aiming at promoting the health, education and empowerment of the girls In Cape Town's marginalised communities through sport. The programmes are focused on inclusion, improved daily life skills and health education.

Based on the logic of "forging their mentality instead of trying to change them" the "Move Her" project is a supportive educational sports programme that encourages girls in the Commune of Khayelitsha to engage in physical and sports activities from the age of three in order to prepare them for a healthy and active lifestyle. The total cost of the project is €25,607.

Context

In South Africa, 2 in 5 women is diagnosed with diseases associated with their lifestyles. According to the organisation ActivateHer, a few recent study carried out in the targeted localities reveal that at the age of 6, 20% of the girls are already considered as obese. Girls and women’s health in South Africa has rapidly resulted in a crisis. Beside a worsening physical health, they also face gender discrimination and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections. Indeed, 1 in 5 women is suffering from sex-based violence, 1 in 3 gets pregnant before they are 20 and women are twice as often likely to be infected by HIV as men.

The MoveHer Project is for sharing knowledge, stimulating learning and promoting empowerment so as to enable the girls to grow feeling healthy, capable and confident in the society. The initiative is aimed at girls aged 3 to 14 and is based mainly on yoga, gymnastics, song and dance. It allows girls to explore their potential through the development of their motor skills, strength and coordination.

Goals

Promote the physical, mental and sexual health of the girls at an early age
Support and assisting any vulnerable young girls during the process of empowerment
Give young girls opportunities of becoming agents of change within their communities and of realising their potential at an early age thanks to sport
Enable the girls in such a way that they can debunk any gender-based discrimination, any educational gaps and other social challenges they may be facing

Activities

The “PreschoolMovement” Programme made for infants (3-to 6-year-old) and focuses on body awareness using gymnastics and yoga
The “PrimarySchool Activation” Programme centred on sport (cricket, dancing, netball, soccer and yoga) oriented towards girls aged 7 to 14
The “High SchoolPlayHer” Programme which engages in various sports to teach functional fitness, develop daily life skills and build a routine of health and well-being

Impact

Mobilising young girls aged 3 to 14 in vulnerable communities
173 girls have already participated in the programmes, most of whom took part in the three years of Implementation
Recruiting and training supervisors, mostly women from Khayelitsha