Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, Far-western Province – September 5, 2024 – Saathi, supported by AEIN – Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal (AEIN) under the Generating Ownership Awareness & Liberation (GOAL) program, organized a workshop on “Partnering with Footballers for Gender Equality” in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. The event gathered around 35 participants, including past Olympians, the national coach, male and female players, ANFA officials, teachers, and social workers.
Ms. Sajani Amatya, President of Saathi, welcomed the attendees and stressed the growing concern for the safety and security of women and girls. She called for immediate action to address these issues and reaffirmed Saathi’s commitment to continuing its efforts in promoting gender equality.
Ms. Bandana Rana, Co-Founder of Saathi and a CEDAW committee member, shared her journey in advocating for women’s rights, from establishing Nepal’s first women’s shelter to contributing to domestic violence laws. She explained Saathi’s collaboration with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and discussed the crucial role that footballers can play in breaking down gender stereotypes. Ms. Rana emphasized the importance of movement-building through sports and highlighted how men, including football players, can be key allies in the fight against violence toward women and children. She further elaborated on the harmful effects of toxic masculinity and the essential role men must play in transforming societal norms to ensure a safer, more equal society.
Honorable Mr. Rajendra Singh Rawal, Former Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, expressed his support for Saathi’s work and pledged to help establish women’s safe houses. He emphasized that gender equality must be a priority not only in society but also in sports, and male leaders should be vocal about dismantling discriminatory norms.
Participants openly discussed the gender challenges they face, particularly in sports. Coaches and teachers were urged to become role models by promoting gender awareness. Young female players voiced their concerns about societal pressures, with many saying that their families discourage them from pursuing sports due to safety concerns, despite their ambitions to build a career in the field.
Mr. Ganesh Chand, President of All Nepal Football Association, Kanchanpur expressed the association’s willingness to work with Saathi to promote gender equality in sports. He assured the group that they would continue to support and foster a more inclusive environment for female athletes.
This workshop served as a meaningful step toward strengthening partnerships for gender equality in sports, encouraging athletes, coaches, and community leaders to take actionable steps in their respective fields.
